Controversial Manchester boxer Tyson Fury says he has ‘no love’ for his home ahead of his bout against Christian Hammer next weekend.
The European and WBO International heavyweight champion Fury faces German Hammer on February 28 at the O2 Arena in London.
Fury (23-0) was speaking during a media workout at his gym in Bolton and, although the outspoken Wythenshawe boxer was in good spirits, local fans shouldn’t expect to see the 26-year-old competing at the Manchester Arena any time soon.
“To be honest, I’m not really interested. Manchester doesn’t show me any love so I don’t show them any love either,” he told MM sitting down outside the ropes as iFL TV filmed a video (below) with his coach.
“I probably couldn’t sell 10 tickets in Manchester and I couldn’t give a fuck about it either. It’s a shit town anyway, I’ve got no love for them. That’s our little pact.
“I don’t represent any area or any country, I represent myself. It’s what I do. I don’t box or get punched in the face to pay anyone else’s bills. I’ve got to pay my own!”
The undefeated Fury can boast an impressive 17 knockouts from his 23 wins and will be looking to add another impressive win to his résumé when he faces the 27-year-old Hammer next weekend.
Fury added: “He’s a very tough opponent. He’s a good fighter and I’m expecting a good challenge from Christian Hammer. Hopefully he’ll bring his A-game, as I know he will, and it should be a hard fight.
“You never can tell with boxing how a fight’s going to play out. Boxing will be boxing and whatever happens, happens. But I don’t see the fight going beyond five rounds. I want the knockout.”
Fury is confident that his training for the Hammer bout has gone well, something he attributes to the close knit family atmosphere at Team Fury Gym.
Fury’s father, John, has recently returned to the fold after serving four years of an 11-year sentence in prison and the fighter is delighted to have his Dad back by his side, saying it has been “a good inspiration” ahead of his upcoming bout.
In his last outing, Fury secured a dominant win over bitter rival Dereck Chisora and a win against Hammer in London should finally see Fury challenge world heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko (63-3) later this year.
Fury is already the mandatory challenger for Klitschko’s heavyweight crown but the Ukrainian is next scheduled to defend his titles against American Bryant Jennings in April.
Not content to sit out and wait, Fury accepted a bout against the dangerous Hammer in the interim.
“I would have been inactive for over 12 months again and I don’t need to do that,” Fury explained.
“At the end of the day, it’s a fight and if I can win, I can win. If I can’t, it’s no big issue, someone give me a tissue, because I’ll be doing a lot of crying afterwards!
“There’s a reason this bill is being labelled ‘Risky Business’ because of everything that’s on the line. I’m mandatory to face Wladimir Klitschko next but if I don’t win this fight I’ll lose that mandatory position and my chance to fight for the world title.
“We’ve seen fighters in the past who have been in a similar position and lost but that’s not going to happen with me. The reason is because I’m not overlooking Christian Hammer.”
Main image courtesy of iFL TV via YouTube, with thanks.
