'Pay me in beer': Tyson Fury talks up Brisbane fight
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World heavyweight champion Tyson Fury is looking into options to fight in Australia. (Darren England/AAP PHOTOS)
Tyson Fury is tossing up a fight at Suncorp Stadium, promising it would be "another animal", on a different level to the Jeff Horn-Manny Pacquiao bout that re-energised boxing in Australia.
The WBC heavyweight world champion flew into Brisbane on Thursday to see the stadium for himself, having already done reconnaissance at the MCG.
Negotiations for an undisputed world-title fight between Fury and Ukraine's Oleksandr Usyk, who holds the WBA, IBF and WBO belts, have stalled.
Keen to stay busy, the British fighter says an Australian bout, possibly against world-ranked Queenslander Demsey McKean, is "very realistic".
"It's already making me happy and positive because I've got my sunglasses on and the sunshine's out," Fury said of Brisbane.
"The only problem is I don't have a f***ing beer in my hand."
Promoted by Matchroom's Eddie Hearn, McKean was in talks to fight stablemate and former world champion Anthony Joshua and as a southpaw would provide the prime lead-in to a clash with Usyk.
Fury, nicknamed the Gypsy King, said McKean was a "frontrunner" and talked down the prospect of fighting Gold Coast-based cruiserweight world champion Jai Opetaia given their size difference.
"These guys are like 'this' big and I'm like 'this' big," he said of Opetaia, who is adamant he can move up and go the distance with Fury.
"We have divisions for reasons. I'm sure they're called cruiserweights and not heavyweights."
World-ranked, undefeated Brisbane heavyweight Justis Huni, now also promoted by Hearn, is another option.
Fury is one of world sport's great entertainers, the 34-year-old's theatrics out of the ring just as impressive as what's gone on inside it.
Horn's shock defeat of Pacquiao at a sold-out Suncorp Stadium in 2017 re-shaped the sport in Australia but Fury said his show would trump that memorable night.
"This is history-making Down Under," he said.
"No disrespect to Manny Pacquiao and Jeff Horn, this is another animal. Different level.
"Show me the money ... I'll even take beers as pay."
Asked what he wanted his legacy to be, Fury stuck to the theme of the day.
"To cement a legacy I have to consume 15 pints in one night. That would make me an absolute f***ing legend," he bellowed.
Fury also called out Usyk for dodging him, saying he would beat the Ukrainian inside six rounds.
"That's why he's running," Fury said.
"I'll punch Usyk's face in anytime he wants it ... he won't sign the contract because he knows he'll get them big fists all in his face.
"It's an easy fight for me."
Fury acknowledged but rejected UFC boss Dana White's offer to face US fighter Jon Jones in the octagon.
"Roll around on the floor ... no thank you," he said.
"If they want to make some real money they can come fight me in a boxing ring, for sure the invitation is open."
Australian Associated Press
Thursday, May 25, 2023 at 7:55 am