Hughie Fury: I belong at world level

Hughie Fury has stressed he belongs at world level ahead of his May 12 fight with British heavyweight champion Sam Sexton.

The 23-year-old, whose last bout was September’s defeat against WBO title-holder Joseph Parker, is “100 per cent” convinced he will become a world champion.

He suffered the first loss of his professional career in what was his maiden world title fight via a majority points decision, with two judges favouring New Zealander Parker 118-110 while the third scored the contest a 114-114 draw.

Fury says he is facing Sexton next, at Bolton’s Macron Stadium, after a struggle to find fighters willing to take him on.

And regarding the Parker fight, he told Press Association Sport: “I know I belong at that level.

“I was out of the ring (for almost a year and a half) with illnesses and stuff like that and then came straight back into a world title fight.

“I would have liked a few warm-up fights, but that’s it – you don’t really get the choice.

“I do believe I am that, and I will show it, and prove it in time. Time will tell.

“I am ready for a world title (fight) tomorrow. If it comes around, I will take it. Hopefully in the next year or so I will be back to the top.”

Fury, who feels not only that he “won” the fight in September but that “he (Parker) thought I won it as well”, added when asked if he still believed he would become a world champion: “One hundred per cent – there has never been a doubt in my mind.”

He also described Parker’s clash with Britain’s WBA and IBF world champion Anthony Joshua next week in Cardiff as “a 50-50 fight”.

Fury said: “It depends on Parker’s tactics. If he moves his head and body, it will be a difficult night for Joshua.”

Peter Fury, Hughie’s father and trainer, says it is “only a matter of time” before his son claims a world title.

He added ahead of the Sexton fight: “Nobody else wants to fight him.

“They were offered top money, but nobody else wants it, so people can say ‘oh, it’s the British title’, but Sam Sexton needs full credit because he is the one who has stepped up when people that are talked about wouldn’t.

“It is the only fight we could get, so he’s taking that.

“He is going to be busy (for the rest of the year).

“We are looking to have him out again in July, and then out again. He’ll be back mixing at world level. By the end of this year he’ll be fighting a highly-ranked world level opponent.”

Peter was his nephew Tyson Fury’s trainer when the 29-year-old became world heavyweight champion in 2015.

Tyson, who has vowed to make his comeback to the ring this year, is now working with a different trainer in Ben Davison.

And when asked about that situation, Peter said: “It’s family and it’s private, and not to be discussed.

“I wish all family all the very best. It’s up to them what they want to do in their career and good luck to them.

“I’m not involved in his preparations and have no idea what is happening there (with regard to him making him comeback).”