Date: 18/08/2018
Venue: Windsor Park
TV: BT Sport
Tyson Fury continues on the comeback trail when facing Italian heavyweight Francesco Pianeta in Belfast and should have little trouble in extending his unbeaten record to 27-0.
The former IBF, WBA and WBO champion returned from two and a half years out of action to brush aside Sefer Seferi in Manchester and is expected to be sharper for that outing.
We’re going for a fifth-round stoppage at 6/1 as our Fury vs Pianeta prediction.
Pianeta is an ex-European champion who was once rated a fair prospect, but four losses in his last 11 bouts may have dented his confidence and desire.
Two of those defeats were world title fights, with Wladimir Klitschko prevailing in round six and Ruslan Chagaev catching him cold in the opening round.
Subsequent reversals against Kevin Johnson and Petar Milas, just two months ago, should have relegated the 33-year-old to journeyman status and he looks simply another stepping stone for Fury.
The Manchester-born Gypsy King went off the rails after upsetting Klitschko in Dusseldorf in November 2015 but now has some big pay-days in his sights again.
Anthony Joshua, Deontay Wilder or even Tony Bellew would all be box office hits, but there is no chance of Fury lacking focus and thinking too far ahead.
He told BT Sport: “I don’t have any fears about this fight, I’m like a lion. It’s all about me and Francesco, nothing else matters.”
Frampton to send fans home happy
Local hero Carl Frampton should also cruise to victory when taking on Luke Jackson at Windsor Park in the featherweight division.
IBF champion Josh Warrington plans to be ringside and WBO title holder Oscar Valdez remains a potential alternative opponent for the 31-year-old two-weight world champion.
Frampton will achieve a huge ambition by headlining at this venue, stating: “This is something I’ve wanted for a very, very long time.
“For the last five years it’s been a dream of mine, and now we’re doing it.
“I feel in the shape of my life because, mentally, I’m so happy with boxing this last year.
“Everything’s flipped for me. I was winning fights and beating big names but I wasn’t enjoying it. Now I’m enjoying it and you’re going to see bigger performances.”
Australian Jackson is 16-0 but this is a massive step up in class and we like 9/1 for Frampton to finish him off in the eighth round.
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