German-Italian heavyweight hope Christian Thun discusses his upcoming fight against Lucas Browne and recent sparring experience with WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury, in conversation with Chris Glover.
The heavyweight division is the most attractive weight class on the planet right now. With Anthony Joshua holding the WBA Super, WBO, IBF and IBO belts and Tyson Fury reigning as the WBC and Lineal champion, the sporting world has its eyes fixed on the big men.
Moving through the ranks is Miami-based, German-Italian Christian Thun, who steps up in class next time out against former WBA title holder Lucas Browne in Dubai on August 13.
‘The Hurricane’ is relishing the test. “Browne is a tough guy, he has a win against Ruslan Chagaev and a good record. It’s going to be a step up for me but I’m very excited at the prospect of fighting Browne and moving forward with my career,” Thun told Boxing Social.
“Getting the opportunity to box in Dubai is something that I’m excited to do. It’s amazing to get opportunities like this in a place that is like Las Vegas without the gambling!
“I’m really excited for this fight and I want to thank Legacy Sports Management, who have done nothing but support me massively during the pandemic and taken care of me. Without them, I honestly don’t know where I would be. They have been first class.”
Thun (6-0, 4 KOs) recently picked up the IBO Continental belt against experienced Bosnian Mirko Tintor (WRTD3) in the rather unconventional setting of the Universum Gym in Germany. The towering, 6ft 8 1/2 ins heavyweight described how he came to be fighting in a gym for his first pro title.
“It was crazy in the lead up to that fight because I was initially supposed to fight in Dusseldorf where I’d sold tickets then a lockdown came into Germany so that fight got pushed back,” he said. “Due to the pandemic, things kept chopping and changing and we ended up boxing in the Universum Gym behind closed doors.
“It was really weird boxing in front of no fans but I was just happy to be in the ring and to make it for an IBO title. Being a champion is great, too, especially in my sixth fight. When I was at home, people would want to take pictures with the belt and people showed respect for how hard I’ve worked for 12 years in boxing to win my first pro title. So I’m excited to win more titles and thank you to the IBO for the opportunity.”
Thun, 29, has recently been recruited into the training camp of Tyson Fury, with the pair working together in Las Vegas and Miami. The rising heavyweight has been buoyed by the experience.
“Working with Tyson Fury has been amazing. He is not only an amazing fighter but he is a great person,” said Thun.
“Being in the gym with Tyson has been great. You learn so much from him. His IQ is on a different level from anything that I’ve ever seen and he always has time to help all the fighters around him.”
Photo: DPA picture alliance/Alamy.