TYSON Fury is unruffled by Deontay Wilder's plans to be ringside to watch his fight against Francesco Pianeta at Windsor Park on Saturday night.
The WBC heavyweight champion has confirmed he will travel to Belfast to attend in the expectation that he will next defend his title against Fury in Las Vegas on November 10 or 17.
Fury, in only the second fight of his comeback, will face the scrutiny of Wilder, who could prove his biggest test.
But asked about the American's presence on Saturday after a public workout at Castle Court shopping centre yesterday, Fury responded: "It's not really concerning me.
"What's concerning me is my legs looking very long and slender? I've been working on them for a very long time and they're still not very big, but they're quite long, so they'll be alright on the night. I'm looking forward to a great night."
Fury's showdown with the 33-year-old German features on the undercard of Carl Frampton's clash with Luke Jackson.
He was also introduced as the "lineal heavyweight champion of the world", and the 30-year-old added of his return to Belfast: "I've boxed here quite a few times before, this is my fifth as a professional.
"It's a great night at Windsor Park. It's going to be a historic night; you've got to think, 'Where were you on that night at Windsor Park?"'
It is not just a dream come true for Fury and Frampton either, but also rising star Lewis Crocker.
The heavy-handed welterweight is hoping to extend his unbeaten career in his seventh professional fight when he takes on England’s William Warburton.
Already touted as a future world champion by many boxing pundits, Crocker admits he’d love to return to Windsor Park some day to headline his own show.
“It’s class to be a part of it,” he said.
“I’ve got my workout done, so it is becoming real. I am just buzzing to get out there on Saturday night.
“I jog past Windsor Park everyday. It will be an historic night and I’m proud to be a part of it.
“In the future, I’d love to keep fighting in Belfast because there is a great buzz about boxing in the city.”
When asked if he’d like to headline a show at Windsor himself one day, Crocker replied: “Who wouldn’t love to?
“I’d love to headline a show there one day. That’s the dream. For now, I am happy to be part of the bill this weekend.”
Since making his eagerly-anticipated professional debut in last of last year, the all-action
Crocker’s all-action style has seen him win six fights with six knockouts.
At 21 years of age, Crocker is still learning the game and is opponent has clearly been hand-picked to take the Sandy Row native further than he has been in his previous outings.
Indeed, Warburton has had more fights (13) in 2018 than Crocker has had in his fledging career.
At 10 years Crocker’s senior, the Lancastrian isn’t your average journeyman and represents a significant step up in class.
However, Crocker insists he isn’t bothered about who he faces in the ring. For him, Warburton is just another opponent, nothing more, nothing less.
“This one is over six rounds so we’ll see how I get on,” said Crocker.
“I don’t look at other people’s records to be honest. I don’t care. I train hard and I train for a fight. It doesn’t matter who it is – to me it is just another human being in the ring with me.”
