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Tyson Fury outlines his ambition to crack America like British boxing great Lennox Lewis

Fury, who won all 10 rounds against Francesco Pianeta at Belfast's Windsor Park on Saturday night, says he is driven by a desire to prove himself in America

Declan Taylor
Sunday 19 August 2018 16:29 BST
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Tyson Fury sees off Pianeta and confirms next fight with Deontay Wilder

Tyson Fury might publicly describe himself as the greatest heavyweight to ever walk the planet but he still feels duty bound to crack America like British great Lennox Lewis.

The undefeated 30-year-old will head across the Atlantic to take on Deontay Wilder before the year is out, with a November clash in Las Vegas expected to be confirmed in the next fortnight.

It will be Fury's second outing in America following his seventh-round stoppage victory over Steve Cunningham in 2013 but facing 40-0 WBC champion Wilder represents an opportunity to make a far bigger impact on the US market.

And former WBA, WBO and IBF champion Fury, who won all 10 rounds against Francesco Pianeta at Belfast's Windsor Park on Saturday night, says he is driven by a desire to prove himself in America.

“I think it's a must,” he said. “If you want to be the best you've got to go and crack America.

“It's alright being a big fish in the small pond of the United Kingdom, but if you want to be the don don Dom Perignon then you've got to go to America like Lennox Lewis did or like all the greats before me who tried.

“I think it's the way - and the key to it all.”

Lewis, a three-time world champion, is considered one of the best heavyweights in history as a result of his sparkling 44-fight career which began in 1989 and finished in 2003.

And his formidable reputation was forged thanks in no small part to Stateside victories over icons such as Evander Holyfield, Mike Tyson and Vitali Klitschko.

Fury, who moved to 27-0 as a result of Saturday's victory, is hoping to follow in those footsteps having successfully battled back from what he describes as the brink of suicide.

He has used Ricky Hatton's Hyde gym to launch the comeback, which has included a staggering nine stone weight drop since the turn of the year. But Fury has now opened the door to a training camp in America alongside trainer Ben Davison as he bids to topple Wilder.

Tyson Fury is already preparing for his showdown with Deontay Wilder

“Camp could be in America,” Fury added. “I want to do everything right for this camp so I'm probably going to do 10 or 12 weeks in America for this fight.

“I might go to California - somewhere like Big Bear - or Las Vegas, I don't know yet.

“When you get the things you crave so much, sometimes you don't appreciate them until they're gone. Now I don't have them anymore I'm hungry to get them back.

“It's not just about belts this time, it's about winning as well and helping others along the way. I didn't know how many people suffer from what I suffer from and now it is being very publicised with all sports and through all walks of life.

“I'm in this sport to win and to win my world titles back and to inspire and help people like myself. The longer I do it, the more people I can inspire and help so I've got no plans to quit any time soon.

“I achieved all my dreams. All that is in the past, I'm looking forward to the history.”

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