FORMER heavyweight world champion Tyson Fury insists he is not easing his way back into competition when he fights Sefer Seferi on June 9 at the Manchester Arena. Fury has not fought since 2015, when he toppled Wladimir Klitschko to win the IBF, WBO and WBA world titles. He will have ring rust to shed.
“I think he’s good, I think he’s good enough. Any man who’s had 24 fights and only lost one on points and never been knocked out can’t be a push-over,” Fury said of his opponent.
“Even if he’s fought Romanian roadsweepers, they all taking knocking out. Try punching someone and knocking them out, it’s quite hard. He will be able to punch no doubt. A chin is a chin and if he hits me on mine, I’ll go over clearly.
“But if I’m as good as I think I am, I should beat him comfortably.”
He will be a welcome addition among the elite of the heavyweight division. But he will have to work his way back to the top. A loss to Seferi would be a disaster. Tyson still warned, “I think he’s good, I think he’s good enough. Any man who’s had 24 fights and only lost one on points and never been knocked out can’t be a push-over.
“He’s very tough. His brother is very tough and he fought the heavyweight champion of the world, Herbie Hide, and Herbie Hide beat him on points.
“These Albanian fellas are very, very teak tough. That’s why I picked someone who is very tough.
“I need the rounds because I’ve been out for how many days I don’t know, I’ve been out for a long time.
“I need rounds. I don’t need a knock-out after 10 seconds. I need someone who’s tough, can take the punches and who can keep coming forward and put me under pressure… So I’m pushed a little bit and have to extend myself.”
Fury promised, “I’m not overlooking Sefer Seferi, I’m taking him deadly serious. This is a world title fight for me. Everyone of these people who come to fight me are challenging me for my lineal heavyweight status, which goes back over 200 years.”
