Fury, Eubank Jr. To Co-Headline 2/28 Bill In London
By Terence Dooley
Frank Warren has revealed that Tyson Fury, Chris Eubank Junior, Bradley Skeete, Frank Buglioni, Liam Walsh, Craig Evans and a few other names will feature on the promoter's February 28 bill at London's O2 Arena. Fury will headline the show, but they are still searching for a suitable foe and will announce the opponent soon.
Fury, 23-0 (17), is on course to challenge Wladimir Klitschko later this year, however the 26-year-old wanted an interim fight to build on the rounds he got under his belt when defeating Dereck Chisora by 10-round corner retirement at the ExCel Arena on November 29 to pick up the EBU and British titles.
"It's very important that I stay busy, but I have to preserve that mandatory position," Fury told the assembled media.
"We will announce his opponent in the next few days," added Warren. "Tyson will face a ranked opponent, but we can't jeopardise his mandatory position—he still has a fight against Klitschko in [2015]. We also have Chris Eubank Junior on the bill, his opponent will be announced in the next few days."
Warren vowed that the show will not overrun, alluding to his recent show at London's ExCel Arena that ran well into the night and caused transport problems for a few in attendance.
"I assure you that Tyson's fight will start no later than 11 p.m. so that everyone can get home," the promoted promised.
Fury boxed both orthodox and southpaw against Chisora, a move that impressed Warren.
"I think the switch to southpaw was a masterstroke," he said. "We're looking for someone who can bring out the best in him. A tall guy would be ideal, because that's the kind of guy Klitschko is. There might be a possibility he fights the winner of [WBC titlist Bermane] Stiverne and [Deontay] Wilder [who clash on January 17]."
"We'd like to get Klitschko over to the U.K. in the summer," added Warren, turning his attention to the division's main man. "I don't think there'd be a bigger fight than Tyson in the U.K."
As for Fury, the Mancunian is happy to be active against after enduring a torrid through years due to the collapse of two proposed fights against former WBA boss David Haye.
"It's very good for me to have a goal," said the unbeaten heavyweight. "I've got a date and focus, I can focus on this fight. What's happened has happened, you learn that not everything goes as it should, but you have to get on with things. I'm not a patient man, I don't like to wait for the things that I want."
Mick Hennessy has worked with Fury from the beginning, he still plays a key role in his career and was quick to point out that Klitschko has talked about fighting in the U.K. in the past.
"In the run-up to the Haye fight, Klitschko expressed an interest in fighting in the U.K.," stated Hennessy. "It'll break all sorts of records if it gets made, especially in the U.K. We're not just going to get the win, it will be an explosive win."
"It will happen, one way or another," added Warren, although Fury believes that the 38-year-old WBA, WBO, IBF and IBO titlist will vacate rather than take him on. "When I win the title, I don't want it to be vacant—I want to win it from Klitschko," was Fury's take on the situation. "I said a while ago that I don't think he will fight me. It's alright fighting little men and bums. I'm 6' 9'', fit as a fiddle and hungry as a lion—I'm a different story. I'm definitely going to beat him if I fight him."
Fury is trained by his uncle Peter. John Fury, his father, is also going to rejoin the team, according to Peter.
Team Fury is confident that the rounds in the bank against Chisora helped shed some rust and showed what Fury's capable of when he boxes to orders.
"You've not even remotely seen what he's about," was Peter's take on the Chisora performance. "He didn't even need to get out of second gear. He loves to fight, he's got all the tools needed to be world heavyweight champion."
Warren concluded by adding that the heavyweight division could come to life in 2015.
"This fight, with Stiverne and Wilder, injects new life into the division," he declared before drawing proceedings to a close.
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