Klitschko vs Fury: Tyson Fury says he will become Britain's best heavyweight
Tuesday 20 October 2015 09:30, UK
Tyson Fury says becoming the heavyweight world champion "will not be a fulfilment of a dream" and insists he is only interested in becoming the best fighter in British history.
Undefeated Fury faces the biggest test of his career to date on October 24 when he takes on IBF, WBO, IBO and WBA (Super) heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko at Esprit Arena in Dusseldorf, Germany.
Ahead of his career-defining fight against Klitschko, Fury has declared he will retire from boxing if he fails to overcome the 39-year-old, whose last defeat came nearly 11 years ago against American Lamon Brewster.
The supremely confident 27-year-old has also made clear his overall aim is not just to become another world champion, but to cement his name in British boxing history as the best fighter the country has ever produced.
"I aim for the stars and winning a world title will not be a fulfilment of a dream for me. It never has been," Fury told Sky Sports News HQ.
"I never started in boxing to be a British champion or a world champion. There are loads of world champions in Britain and if you mention them to someone out there on the street, nobody knows who they are.
"For me, it's about being a star, being a superstar and not just winning a world title, but becoming the best ever British fighter this country has ever had. That's what I am, and that's what I intend to do."
Fury has tasted only success in his 24 professional fights, defeating Kevin Johnson, Steve Cunningham and Dereck Chisora in three world heavyweight title eliminators to finally secure a shot at Klitschko.
And he has no doubt he deserves his chance to pit himself against the champion.
"I've been boxing since I was 14 and now I am 27. I had seven years as a professional and I've done it the hard, hard way," he added.
"I've come up through the English, British, Commonwealth, Irish, European [routes] and held International and Intercontinental titles. I've also had three world title eliminators.
"There's not a heavyweight out there who has had more eliminators than me and had harder fights coming up.
"They've all had it handed to them on a plate, but I've had to work hard for it. I'm ready for this. You get these guys who have had 20 knockouts in a row and go in there and get slaughtered for a world title. I will not be.
"I've been in crisis situations, I've been down, I've been hurt, I've been behind on the scorecards and I've had to pull that shot out to knock somebody out. I've been in all kinds of situations and still come out on top. I am still undefeated, I am still confident and I am still going.
"I am confident I am going to win this fight regardless of what Klitschko brings to the ring. I don't care if he brings 10 arms with hammers in each hand, he still isn't going to win."
WBC champion Deontay Wilder and knockout specialist Anthony Joshua are also among the headline names in a bubbling heavyweight division and both currently remain unbeaten.
But Fury has warned he is now the man to beat in the division and is certain he will be crowned Britain's eighth world heavyweight champion.
"I am beating Klitschko, I am beating Wilder, I am beating Joshua and whoever else they want to send to me," he said.
"I am the man and this is my era. They're in my era, so they are getting knocked out. I can do everything. I can box, I can knock them out and I can be awkward. I am a heavyweight's nightmare."
