GIANT FURY IS BIG HOPE

The Daily Star - Nick Parkinson4th December, 2008

A BOXER named Tyson is being promoted as a future world heavyweight champion!

It's not Iron Mike, though, but Tyson Fury - named after the former champ - who has become the latest British amateur star to turn professional.

Giant Manchester heavyweight Fury agreed terms with promoter Mick Hennessy yesterday.

At 6ft 9in tall and 18 stones, Fury is a former ABA winner who would have been in contention to box at the London 2012 Olympics.

But the 20-year-old, who did not compete at Beijing in August, has followed in the footsteps of gold medallist James DeGale, bronze medallist Tony Jeffries and their fellow Olympians Frankie Gavin and Billy Joe Saunders by entering the pro ranks.

Hennessy, whose shows are screened on ITV, claims Fury could make his paid debut on the undercard of Nottingham's Carl Froch against Canadian Jean Pascal for the WBC super-middleweight title in Nottingham on Saturday.

He said: "I've got the one I want and he's the biggest and most exciting professional signing in British boxing.

"He could make his debut on Saturday but it depends upon his medical and registration.

"He's got better potential than all the Olympic boxers. I wasn't interested in any of them.

"Tyson is an aggressive fighter and a throwback to Ali and Larry Holmes and he has a brilliant jab.

"As long as he stays focused he's destined to be a genuine world heavyweight champion.

"This is the best heavyweight to turn pro since Lennox Lewis, anywhere in the world."