Trouble boy Fury
CHALLENGER Tyson Fury has told Deontay Wilder he is in “big trouble” ahead of their December 1 showdown.
Two US venues – in Los Angeles and Las Vegas – are being considered for WBC world heavyweight champion Wilder’s eighth defence.
Former champion Fury, 30, has had two easy comeback fights since ending a ring exile of 31 months.
Wilder, 32, has KO’d 39 of his 40 victims but Fury said: “Deontay Wilder, you’re going to get it, mate. You’re in big trouble. I’ve never met a man I couldn’t beat in a boxing ring or outside it.”
NICK PARKINSON 2016: USA 17 Europe 11 2014: Europe 16.5 USA 11.5 2012: USA 13.5 Europe 14.5 2010: Europe 14.5 USA 13.5 TOMMY FLEETWOOD will take time away from the hullabaloo of his Ryder Cup debut to quietly celebrate his son’s first birthday.
The Southport star, 27, tees off for Europe in Paris after an amazing two years when he has won the Race to Dubai, finished runner-up at the US Open and become the proud father to young Frankie.
And the world No.12 said: “Friday will be such a special day for a couple of reasons – it is going to be amazing.
“This is a bit of a ‘pinch yourself’ moment because I was nowhere near the team two years ago.
“And that Friday is Frankie’s first birthday.
“I’ve always had it in my head how special it’s going to be waking up that day.
“I’m not going to see him straight away because we are so busy.
“He’ll be at another hotel, staying with my mother-in-law.
“It would be nice if I can see him some time during the day – he doesn’t know it’s his birthday, but I do.
“I’ll definitely try to find him for 10 minutes and have a cuddle.”
Fleetwood has been guaranteed to make the European team since a final-round 63 saw him finish second at the US Open.
And he has spent the summer seeking advice from his team-mates about facing the Americans on the Le Golf National course where he won the French Open last year.
Last season’s European No.1, who practised with potential partners Rory McIlroy and Francesco Molinari before this week’s Tour Championship, said: “The one key thing that keeps coming across is the pressure that you feel is the same for everyone, and you’ve got to embrace it – because there’s no way of avoiding it.
“You need to know it’s coming and look forward to it, and they all said it is the most pressure you are ever going to feel, so be ready for it.
“The experiences I’ve built up have got to be some kind of preparation for what’s coming.”
NEIL McLEMAN
Age: 41 Past Ryder Cups: 2004, 2006, 2008 Record: P9 W3 L2 H4 Points: 5 Age: 27 Past Ryder Cups: Debut World Ranking: 12 Age: 29 Past Ryder Cups: 2010, 2012, 2014, 2016 Record: P19 W9 L6 H4 Points: 11
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Age: 38 Past Ryder Cups:
1999, 2002, 2004, 2006,
2008, 2012, 2014, 2016 Record: P37 W19 L11 H7 Points: 22.5
Age: 38 Past Ryder Cups: 2008, 2012, 2014, 2016 Record: P19 W11 L6 H2 Points: 12 Age: 42 Past Ryder Cups: 2006, 2008, 2014, 2016 Record: P16 W7 L7 H2 Points: 8 Age: 42 Past Ryder Cups:
2004, 2008, 2010, 2012,
2014 Record: P18 W12 L4 H2 Points: 13 Age: 35 Past Ryder Cups: 2010, 2012 Record: P5 W0 L3 H2 Points: 1
Age: 23 Past Ryder Cups: Debut World Ranking: 7 Age: 36 Past Ryder Cups: Debut World Ranking: 15 Age: 28 Past Ryder Cups: Debut World Ranking: 44 Age: 26 Past Ryder Cups: Debut World Ranking: 26