Tyson Fury Windsor Park Opponent CONFIRMED
An opponent has been confirmed for Tyson Fury‘s Belfast appearance next month.
The former unified heavyweight champion continues his return from over two and a half years out on the Carl Frampton v Luke Jackson undercard at Windsor Park on Saturday August 18th.
Fury [26(19)-0] will face former world title challenger Francesco Pianeta [35(21)-4(3)-1] on the Belfast bill which will be shown live on BT Sport.
Manchester-born former Irish champion Fury made his return last month in Manchester but his comeback clash versus Albanian cruiserweight Sefer Seferi was the subject of ridicule, with fans calling for at least somewhat competitive opponents for the returning ‘Gypsy King’.
In 33-year-old Pianeta he takes a step in the right direction.
The 6’5″ Italian-born, German-based fighter was a long-time sparring partner of Wladimir Klitschko before taking on the Ukrainian for the IBF, WBA, and WBO titles in May 2013 where he was stopped in the sixth round.
Previous to this, the southpaw had held the EU title, defending it three times. On his return from the Klitschko loss, Pianeta won the German title before losing to former world champion Ruslan Chagaev, former title challenger Kevin Johnson, and, in his most recent fight, rising Croatian prospect Peter Milas.
Promoter Frank Warren said that “the Seferi fight is history and Pianeta is a far better operator than him. His level of opposition tells you that.”
“Tyson had been out of boxing for a long time and Pianeta is a good opponent for what is Tyson’s second fight back after his break.”
“Tyson had a short rest after Seferi, but is back in full time camp ready for this challenge in Belfast.”
“He needs rounds under his belt before moving on to the next level and this fight will do that and make him work for his win.”
“I am sure Pianeta will get into the Belfast ring desperate to upset Tyson.”
Fury-Pianeta is joined on the Frampton-Jackson undercard by Paddy Barnes’s WBC title assault versus flyweight champ Crisofer Rosales, a BUI Celtic light heavyweight title clash between Steven Ward and Stevie Collins Jr, and appearances for Luke Keeler, Marco McCullough, Lewis Crocker, and Scottish youngster Willy Hutchinson.
