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Fury winds up Wilder and promises Belfast fans Sugar Ray Leonard-esqe showing


Sugar Ray Leonard and Tyson Fury [26(19)-0] are anything but doppelgangers, but the ‘Gypsy King’ believes Belfast fans may mistake the two when he fights Francesco Pianeta at Windsor Park on Saturday night.

Fury continues his comeback against the former world title challenger on the undercard of Carl Frampton versus Luke Jackson and is promising a masterclass against the German-based Italian. 

The former unified champ has predicted a skilfull display and claims he will come across like a giant version of the classy fight legend.

“I’m a slick boxer and I win fights. Fans are going to see a heavyweight Sugar Ray Leonard on Saturday night,” Fury said at the pre-fight press conference. 

“I have to be that good and I am totally focused on Saturday night and beating Pianeta. That is all I am thinking about.”

While he claims to be focused on Pianeta, the name of Deontay Wilder has popped up more than once in the build up to the former Irish champion’s return to Belfast.

Indeed, WBC champion Wilder [40(39)-0] will be in the fight capital of Europe this weekend and will most likely confront the former WBO, IBF and WBA world champion in the ring after the expected easy victory over Pianeta as the pair look to build a potential November clash.

Fury was sure to mention the green belt holder again and went as far as to criticise the Bronze Bomber’s opponents.

“If I come through this then Wilder has the chance to fight me – the lineal champion. Let’s face it, he’s not fought anybody,”

Someone who has fought somebody is this weekend’s opponent. Pianeta shared the ring with Wladimir Klitschko and Ruslan Chagaev and although they account for two of five defeats Fury is adamant he faces a good fighter in Windsor Park. 

“I study my heavyweights and I know he’s fought some good men. He’s a big strong fella and he knows that if he wins he will fight Wilder instead of me.”

“He’s going to try and knock me out. Hopefully he won’t be successful and we’ll put on a show.

“He’s southpaw which is a lot more awkward because there aren’t many of them in the division, so it’s hard to get sparring. But every southpaw I’ve ever fought I’ve knocked out.” 

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