Fury: 'It's up to me to silence McDermott'

Boxing News Craig Birch21st October, 2009

ENGLISH heavyweight title-holder Tyson Fury has vowed to shut up former champion John McDermott for good and then move on to a crack at Danny Williams' British crown.

Fury and McDermott must fight again for the belt, after the title controversially changed hands in a hotly-disputed points decision last month.

Referee Terry O'Connor's call of 98-92 for the new champion led to an inquiry by the British Boxing Board of Control, who upheld the decision but ordered a rematch.

That fight is due to take place in December as an eliminator to the British title, currently held by "The Brixton Bomber". Williams will not be stripped of the Lonsdale Belt despite losing to Carl Baker in Prizefighter, but must fight the winner of Sam Sexton and Martin Rogan's Commonwealth title rematch next month.

Should both the British and English champion successfully defend, the possibility of a showdown in the ring next year remains an option. But is the Robert McCracken led-fighter fazed by the criticisms from the first McDermott fight?

"No, not really," Fury responded. "Because I am confident I can get the job done inside the distance this time. John has had a lot to say since the first fight, so it's up to me to silence him.

"After that, my focus is the British title. I wasn't surprised that Danny wasn't stripped of the belt and so he shouldn't have been, because it was a three-round fight and not 12 like a title fight would be.

"I would love to take him on, he has been in there with some of the best. Hopefully this time next year people will be talking about me as the British champion.

"And if the European title comes up, who knows after that?"

In the meantime, Fury will take time out to meet his idol Mike Tyson, when the Baddest Man on the Planet presents "An Audience with..." at Wolverhampton Civic Hall on November 4.

The Fury family are huge fans of "Iron" Mike, even to the point father John named his son after the former World heavyweight champion. It will be the first time the Tysons have met and the Wilmslow-based new kid on the block, who has only been a pro for just over 10 months, can't wait.

Fury added: "Mike is a big idol of mine, because there were few better than him in his day. He was awesome.

"I would definitely like to get to some of the heights he has in the ring."

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