JAMES DEAN FURY – the latest member of the famous fighting family – needed the ref to save his dismal debut.
The 20-year-old – who has allegedly been sparring top men since he was 14 – was dominated by a 38-year-old journeyman who had not won a bout for EIGHT years.
James Dean Fury celebrates victory against Dzmitry Atrokhau Credit: PA
Fury was struggling in the fight Credit: Getty
But the usually reliable referee Mark Lyson somehow scored the shambolic contest 60-54, saving the ringside cheerleaders from embarrassment.
The newbie – who is trained by his uncle Peter – followed cousins Tyson, Hughie and celebrity fighter Tommy into the pro ranks with a Saturday bow in Leeds.
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The Gypsy King, Love Island stud and shared dad Big John all swerved the event as there has been a divide in the family since Tyson’s incredible 2015 toppling of Wladimir Klitschko – the last time Peter was in his nephew’s corner.
James Dean enjoyed a sensible super-middleweight opener against Dzmitry Atrokhau, spiced up with some switch-hitting tactics and flashy tricks.
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But he will have to drastically improve if he is to follow any of his kin up the rankings.
Belarusian punchbag Atrokhau hasn’t won a fight since 2018 but he clipped Fury enough times to cause major concern.
In the nail-biting third round, Fury was almost knocked out when his defence deserted him and he shipped four clean shots on his bum-fluff beard.
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Atrokhau usually competes at super-welterweight – a full stone lower – so he should have been a sitting duck for the fresh young hunter.
Instead the rank outsider should have won the third and fourth rounds.
And – after gratefully soaking up a bit of pointless pressure – Atrokhau should have got the fifth on the referee’s scorecard too.
Thankfully it was only a six-rounder and, after one more round not fit for a primetime broadcast slot, it was stopped and went to Lyson’s disappointing decision.
