JARED ANDERSON was hailed as the “hero” behind Tyson Fury’s win against Deontay Wilder after he helped sharpen the Gypsy King’s accuracy in sparring.
The 20-year-old prospect, unbeaten in three fights, was not drafted in to Fury’s Las Vegas training camp to directly imitate 6ft 7in Wilder.
Jared Anderson was hailed as the ‘hero’ behind Tyson Fury’s win against Deontay WilderCredit: Instagram @jaredanderson419
Fury stopped Wilder in seven round to win the WBC titleCredit: Richard Pelham
But Anderson – who describes his style as “elusive, quick, sharp and always throwing punches” – insisted he is so hard to hit it provided perfect target practise for the Gypsy King.
Anderson told Sky Sports: “I was definitely not brought in to directly imitate him. I’m only 6ft 4’in so my height doesn’t match up.
“But I definitely bring a lot to the table – I will sharpen you up, make sure that you are aware of punches, make sure that you know when they are coming and know how to get out of the way.
“If you can hit me, then you’ve got some speed and technique.
“That’s our biggest point. I’m shorter, hard to hit, a little faster. That was the point made after our first sparring session. He knew that if he could hit me, he could definitely hit Wilder.”
Fury, 31, performed a stunning change of tactics in the rematch, ditching his traditional backfoot boxing style to be the aggressor and looking for the finish against fearsome puncher Wilder.
The Brit twice floored the 34-year-old American before the one-sided beating came to an end after trainer Mark Breland threw in the towel in round seven.
It was a plan he revealed during the build up, but deemed nothing more than pre-fight hype as Wilder dismissed the Gypsy King for the having “pillow fists”.
But Anderson – who has also sparred Joseph Parker and Kubrat Pulev – gives evidence that Fury was always confident he could back the Bronze Bomber up and dethrone him of the WBC title without the judges scorecards.
He said: “Everything you saw in the ring, he had trained for and practised for.
“People thought he was talking hype? He did what he had to do.
“He obviously saw something to make that decision. I respect him for seeing it, and going for it, because it’s always a risk every time you step in the ring.”
Anderson with Fury’s trainer Javan ‘Sugarhill’ Steward, middleCredit: Instagram @jaredanderson419
Former world champion Joseph Parker with AndersonCredit: Instagram @jaredanderson419
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk