Fury has what he needs to go on and dethrone Wilder, maintains McCrory

TYSON Fury may be taking on WBC world heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder in only his third comeback fight but Glenn McCrory says he will be more than ready for the challenge.

Former world cruiserweight champion McCrory was at ringside on Saturday night to witness Fury outpoint Italian Francesco Pianeta over 10 rounds at a rain-sodden Windsor Park. Now he and everyone else is looking forward to Fury-Wilder in Las Vegas.

In an ideal world Fury would have one more fight before taking on unbeaten Wilder but McCrory believes that will not be an issue.

“Tyson got what he wanted out of the Pianeta fight. He told me before the fight that he wanted 10 rounds and he wanted to box at a high pace and that’s what he got. He proved to himself that he has the fitness for a championship bout and now he can have a short break and start preparing for Wilder,” said McCrory.

“Of course you can always say one more fight would be nice, it’s like an actor saying he needs one more week to learn his role but that little bit of uncertainty, that little bit of extra pressure brings out the best in those who are the elite and that’s what Tyson is.

“He has been to the top of the tree, he knows what it takes to be a champion and it’s just a case of getting himself in good shape.

“He was ready three years ago for the best in the world and he’ll be ready to beat Wilder.”

McCrory concurs with promoter Frank Warren that the 10 rounds gained against Pianeta was just what he needed ahead of facing Wilder.

“I’m glad that he will have a short break and then face Wilder because there is momentum now with Tyson and when he goes into camp he’ll be putting everything into every session because he has no time to waste,” added McCrory.

“This is the kind of challenge that he needs and if he beats Wilder then it puts him right on course for the big one against Anthony Joshua next summer. That would be an amazing fight — it’s what everyone wants to see.”

Meanwhile, Belfast featherweight Marc McCullough has been matched with Dubliner Declan Geraghty for a show at the Titanic Exhibition Centre on Friday, October 5.

The bill will also feature English heavyweight David Price against Dubliner Sean Turner as well as newly-crowned BUI Celtic champion Steven Ward.

Ward picked up the first belt of his career when outpointing Steve Collins jnr on the Windsor Park undercard. Next up: Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder pose in the ring at Windsor Park after the former’s victory over Francesco Pianeta