TYSON Fury has the promise of a world title fight and a passport to the paydays he has long desired hanging on Saturday's encounter with Dereck Chisora, but it is the agonies of the recent past that dominate his thoughts as he casts an eye towards the longer-term future.
"I am just looking forward to a happy, straightforward 2015 with no pull-outs and no deaths," he reports.
The Morecambe-based heavyweight and born-again Christian could certainly do with an upturn in fortunes after two years of professional frustration and personal tragedy. The cancellation of high-profile contests with David Haye and his weekend opponent have helped ensure that Fury has fought only twice in the last 19 months and will possess an undoubted degree of ring-rust going into the meeting with Chisora for his European title and the vacant British crown at London's ExCel Arena.
Fury's uncle Hughie, his first trainer, died last month after a blood clot had developed following routine knee surgery. His wife Paris also suffered a miscarriage in the summer and his home was the subject of an arson attempt while he was training elsewhere.
Victory over Chisora would see the 26-year-old installed as the mandatory challenger for Wladimir Klitschko's WBO world title, though, and that would unquestionably provide a platform for the more auspicious times he dreams of.
"I've had a dreadful, heart-wrenching couple of years, personally and professionally," said Fury, still unbeaten with a 22-0 record. "At one stage, I was ranked third by the WBC and second by the IBF, but I only had one fight in 2013 and one this year, so I've slipped down the ladder. I've been very, very unlucky.
"My faith has played a huge part in helping to come to terms with things and keep going. It's been hard, but I have family and responsibilities. It is still all going to happen for me."
Fury, for all that, remains unconvinced that Klitschko will accede to the demands of the governing body and go through with a contest against him.
"I have said I don't believe Klitschko will fight me, but I hope to God he does take the challenge and I become the new heavyweight champion of the world," he said.
Exposure at world-title level is something Fury has long been working towards. He insists, however, that it is his two children, Venezuela and Prince, that remain his real driving force.
"Titles hold no interest to me, even the world title, really," he said. "What drives me to train so hard every day is to earn the purses that will secure good futures for my kids."
Fury, of course, already has one win over Chisora under his belt. They met in July 2011 with an unfocused and clearly unfit Chisora losing a unanimous points decision in addition to his British and Commonwealth titles. Chisora, though, has since taken WBC champion Vitali Klitschko the distance and warns that he will exact revenge on Fury this weekend.
"It is going to be the easiest fight ever," said the Zimbabwe-born Londoner. "You'll see. I am bringing my A-game. I am not going to make excuses for the fights I have lost, but I am still here and I am still going."
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