Sir Henry Cooper a Tyson Fury Fan

Hennessy Sports1st January, 2009

Boxing legend Sir Henry Cooper is predicting that heavyweight sensation Tyson Fury could have a big future ahead of him. Fury has his fifth pro fight in London on Saturday night when he takes on "Magic" Matthew Ellis live on ITV4 (from 7:45pm).

The fight is part of a Hennessy Sports event which is headlined by the eagerly anticipated Commonwealth Welterweight title clash between Craig Watson and John O'Donnell.

Ellis is promising to expose Fury as a pretender rather than a contender but Cooper who famously dumped Muhammad Ali on the canvas in 1963 told today's Daily Express that he's a fan of the 6 foot 8 and a half inch Fury.

"Everyone seems to be going potty about Tyson Fury," he said. "From what I've been told, he sounds like he could be a quality fighter and may go a long way. It isn't often you hear so many people saying good things about one fighter, so he is definitely someone to watch and he has got a great name."

Fury says that Cooper's words have given him an extra incentive to impress ahead of Saturday's clash with Ellis. "To have a boxing legend like Sir Henry Cooper speak so highly of me is a huge compliment. He's a sporting icon and it's great to think that he is already taking an interest in my career."

Cooper enjoyed a long and distinguished career that saw him win the British, European and Commonwealth Heavyweight titles and included a second encounter with Ali for the World Heavyweight title in 1965. As in their first meeting his susceptibility to cuts proved to be his undoing against his old rival.

Cooper remains the only British boxer to win three Lonsdale Belts outright and he is one of only three people to have won the BBC Sports Personality of the year award on two occasions.

"When you look at what Sir Henry achieved in his career and the titles he won it would be an honour to follow in his footsteps and fight for the British, Commonwealth, European and World titles," said Fury.

"First though I need to take care of business on Saturday night against Ellis. It's my first pro fight in London so I'll be looking to impress the fight fans at the York Hall."

Fury's clash with Ellis is part of an exciting undercard at the York Hall that also features an English Light Welterweight title showdown between Lenny Daws and Peter McDonagh while hot prospect Bradley Evans, Wembley's Steve O'Meara and Irish Welterweight champ, Stephen Haughian are also in action. Tickets are available from the Ticketline box office on 0844 888 4402 or via www.ticketline.co.uk.

The weigh in for Saturday's event takes place on Friday (April 10th) from 12.30pm for a 1pm start at the York Hall, Bethnal Green, London.

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