• Tyson Fury v Martin Rogan

Rogan holds the key to Fury's future

Fury sees his bout with Rogan as the first step towards a world heavyweight title fight © PA Photos

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Tyson Fury believes he is in the shape of his life - both physically and mentally - as he prepares to bolster his reputation as a contender in the Klitschko-dominated heavyweight division, starting with his fight against Martin Rogan in April.

The Manchester-born former British and Commonwealth heavyweight champion shared a joke and a sing-along with the 40-year-old Belfast native ahead of their bout, but Fury was sure to leave Rogan and the division in no doubt of how seriously he is approaching the next chapter in his career.

"I've never put myself through this much training ever in my life," said Fury. "This, for me, may as well be for the unified heavyweight championship of the world.

"This is where it is; Martin Rogan in Belfast, nothing else - no other fighter in the world matters more to me right now, not even the Klitschkos. I've put myself to hell and back for this one and I never, ever want to go there again."

In a bold statement of intent, Fury relinquished the British and Commonwealth belts he claimed against Dereck Chisora on points in July 2011 after a deal to face David Price fell through in February.

Fury's promoters had hoped to televise the fight, but when an agreement could not be reached Fury took the decision to vacate the titles. While Price's team insist Fury did not want the fight, the 23-year-old believes the lure of world heavyweight championship titles is his real motive.

"To be honest, I've often in the past gone into fights not being in 100% condition and not 100% mentally right as well. What can I say?" added Fury, who watched Chisora lose on points to reigning WBC heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko in Munich in February.

"I had a few problems going on at the time that I'm not going to go into, but now I am 100% focused on my aim, my goal - and that's to be the heavyweight champion of the world.

"I see Rogan as being in my way, he's holding the key for me; he's stopping my family from eating, so any man who's going to get in with a 6'9" man who weighs 18 stone and has been training like a demon - away from the celebrity lifestyle and away from my family for 15 weeks by fight time - is in trouble."

At 40, Rogan admitted he was grateful to Fury for providing a "lifeline", but has no intention of returning the favour in the ring.

"I've been working so hard in training and it's only right that the Klitschkos have mentioned Fury's name because he's world rated," said Rogan. "I should've got a crack at a world title after I beat Matt Skelton but I'll not cry over spilt milk, I'll move on to the next episode of my career.

"I'm wiser as I get older and I'll use my education in the ring to put together some destruction."

Fury, however, believes he will have too much for his veteran opponent in Belfast on April 14.

"An army won't stop me, so Martin Rogan hasn't got a chance. He's getting on a bit too, to be honest, said Fury. "I think it'll be one of things where the young man is going to prevail over the old one. The young warrior always overtakes the old one."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.