Huge weight advantage for Fury

Tyson Fury will carry a significant advantage into his comeback bout against Albanian Sefer Seferi in Manchester tonight.

Fury weighed in at 19st 10lbs at a goodnatured weigh-in yesterday, making him a full four stones and nine pounds heavier than Seferi, whom he whisked off his feet and cradled in his arms as if to labour the point.

His weight makes Fury stones heavier that he was for his last fight against Wladimir Klitschko in November 2015, in which he won the world heavyweight title before his career threatened to spiral out of control.

Fury was stripped of his boxing licence as he fought a ban over a failed drugs test, while his much-publicised battle against depression contributed to a weight gain which led to doubts over his boxing future.

The 29-year-old is adamant his evident success in shaping up for a ring return will increase his popularity levels and, more importantly, serve as an inspiration for others who may be going through similar health issues.

Fury said: “I’ve had massive support throughout all my troubles, everybody’s really been helping me and spurring me on.”

Fury is clearly intent on reclaiming the world title belts he felt were wrongly stripped from him in the wake of his win over Klitschko, and in particular securing a major showdown with reigning champion Anthony Joshua.