• Boxing

Fury promises 'fireworks' on ring return

ESPN staff
February 14, 2014
Tyson Fury and Dereck Chisora will both fight at the Copper Box on Saturday © PA Photos
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Tyson Fury has predicted he will make an explosive return to action for his first fight in 10 months against American heavyweight Joey Abell at the Copper Box on Saturday.

Since defeating Steve Cunningham at Madison Square Garden, Fury, who weighed in at 19 stone and eight pounds on Friday with Abell at 17st 3lbs, has seen a proposed bout with David Haye called off twice.

But Fury says he has moved on from the disappointment of not fighting Haye, who suffered a cut above his eyebrow before the first fight scheduled for September and underwent shoulder surgery in November after the bout had been rearranged for February.

"I can't wait to get back in the boxing ring because it has been quite a while now," Fury told Sky Sports. "I don't think I'll be rusty because my camp went really well. I've had plenty of sparring now, and throughout the two camps for the fights that never happened.

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"It was frustrating [seeing the fights against Haye fall through] but you get over these things. There are hurdles in life and you just have to get over them.

"I'm just looking forward to getting in there now on Saturday and doing a demolition job on Joey Abell.

"There are going to be fireworks and you're likely to expect a knockout. Either me or him are going to sleep because I'm not here to mess around - I'm here to knock people out."

As Fury looks to continue his perfect record and make it 22 wins from 22 fights, he revealed his build-up to the fight has been far from ideal.

"Preparations have been really tough," he said. "My wife has been in hospital for the last five days, I cut my eye in sparring, and then I had two of my cars set on fire when I was away at camp so it hasn't really been a great week for me.

"But it's not going to affect my performance on Saturday. I'm here to fight and I'll deal with whatever issues I need to deal with after."

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