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    Tyson Fury Calls out Tony Bellew, David Haye, Talks Deontay Wilder Motivation

    Rory Marsden@@roomarsdenFeatured ColumnistApril 27, 2018

    Former British heavyweight world boxing champion Tyson Fury attends a press conference to publicise his return to the ring at the Lowry Hotel in Manchester, north-west England on April 26, 2018. - Tyson Fury says he could beat reigning world heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder with 'a hand tied behind my back' as the British fighter nears his comeback after more than two years out of the ring. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP) (Photo credit should read OLI SCARFF/AFP/Getty Images)
    OLI SCARFF/Getty Images

    Tyson Fury has called out Tony Bellew and David Haye ahead of their May 5 fight in London, saying he would be happy to take on either of them if they want "to take a beating."

    The 29-year-old returns to the ring for the first time in over two-and-a-half years on June 9 against an as yet unnamed opponent, although Albanian Sefer Seferi recently appeared to reveal it is him, per Swiss publication 20 Minutes (via The Independent).

    Fury is already seemingly seeking out opponents beyond June, though, and said he would take on either Haye or Bellew, despite previously claiming he would never fight the former following a pair of withdrawals from the Londoner, per James Dielhenn of Sky Sports: "Listen, if the opportunity arises for those guys to take a beating from me, I'm sure we can sort it out. It should be quite simple."

    British boxers David Haye (R) and Tony Bellew attend a press conference in London on October 4, 2017, to promote their upcoming heavyweight rematch, due to take place on December 17. / AFP PHOTO / Tolga AKMEN (Photo credit should read TOLGA AKMEN/
    AFP Contributor/Getty Images

    Fury's last fight in November 2015 saw him down Wladimir Klitschko to claim the WBA, WBO and IBF heavyweight titles.

    The British fighter has since suffered depression and served a doping ban, but he is now firmly back in the public eye and ready to reclaim his titles.

    He has revealed that taunts from American WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder that he could never make it back to the ring are what has motivated him, per Dielhenn: 

    Tyson Fury Calls out Tony Bellew, David Haye, Talks Deontay Wilder Motivation
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    "Really, it was Deontay Wilder who spurred me on and gave me the ambition to return. He [Wilder] said I couldn't do it, definitely not, Tyson Fury is done. I thought I will turn this around and come back and knock him out. I don't fear anybody, they're all very good fighters, good champions but I believe with my skill and talent I beat them, even my confidence alone is enough to beat these fellas."

    CARDIFF, WALES - MARCH 31: Anthony Joshua celebrates his points win over Joseph Parker after there WBA, IBF, WBO & IBO Heavyweight Championship title fight at Principality Stadium on March 31, 2018 in Cardiff, Wales. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images
    Julian Finney/Getty Images

    Fury also boldly predicted he could beat Wilder or current WBA, WBO and IBF champion Anthony Joshua with just one hand: "I believe I could tie one hand behind my back and beat [Joshua] and Wilder, pick either hand to go behind my back, that's how confident I am."

    Such a display of confidence is, of course, typical of the Manchester-born Fury.

    He will have to prove he is back to full fitness and form with a number of decent victories if he is to get his shot at Joshua or Wilder and a chance to win another world title. 

    If Seferi is indeed Fury's opponent for June's Manchester Arena clash, then a victory is unlikely to pave the way to a world title bout.

    However, a victory over the winner of Bellew and Haye's second contest would be a notable result as Fury looks to re-establish himself in the heavyweight division.