Tyson Fury impressed but would fall short against Wladimir Klitschko, says Johnny Nelson

Johnny Nelson believes Tyson Fury can win a world title, but not against current heavyweight king Wladimir Klitschko.

The Manchester fighter earned a crack at Klitschko’s WBO belt after pounding Dereck Chisora to a halt, but Nelson would rather see him face WBC champion Bermane Stiverne or his exciting challenger Deontay Wilder.

Billy Joe Saunders earned a split decision win over Chris Eubank Jr in an enthralling middleweight match-up, with the winner looking at a world title, while the gallant loser could face some tough decisions...

“I think Tyson Fury boxed well within himself, he wasn’t extended. It just shows how much he has improved as a fighter. Whereas before when he boxed Dereck Chisora, he had to work a little bit more, but to me it looked like he was working at will this time. 

"What we have seen is not even a fraction of what he’s got, because he didn’t even struggle. He was boxing southpaw most of the time and that’s not because he had to, it's because he wanted to. For a man to do that at this level - to have a little test or play a little game - shows how much he has got in the tank. I was impressed with him.

"It was a Klitschko-style performance. He didn’t try to extend himself, kept him on the jab, used his height and used his reach. It may not look exciting, but it’s very effective and Dereck knew if he stepped out of line, he was going to get it.

"Remember Vitali couldn’t do that to Dereck Chisora, who was in the best condition I’ve seen him in at the weekend. Vitali couldn’t, but Tyson did. 

"Does he want the challenge of taking the scalp of Wladimir? Because someone has got to, before he gives up.

"Wladimir makes things look so easy and he’s very close to finishing his career, so it’s a chance that he can take, and if he loses it’s not the end of the world.

"Looking at what we’ve seen from Wladimir, I would say he has a chance, but I don’t think he would win. But there are still some cracking fights there. Deontay Wilder, Bermane Stiverne - they are fights that he can go in there, compete and win."

Chris Eubank Jr 

"I thought Chris Eubank Jr would win actually. I tipped him to win.

"What I did see is that Billy Joe Saunders’ boxing ability is well underrated by idiots like myself. But I also saw that Chris Eubank Jr, his character, his guts and his heart is second to none. That’s what champions are made of. 

"Billy Joe was a decorated amateur and Chris pushed him to the wire. He just needs fine-tuning. You fine-tune him and he’ll be second to none.

"Chris Jr’s character is actually tougher than his dad’s. The guy came back at the back end of a fight and I thought 'wow'. His character is second to none, but he just needs fine-tuning and he has to bring someone on board to introduce that to him.

"It’s unfair of me to say: 'take on another trainer', but unfortunately that’s what I would say. I wouldn’t say he should get rid of Ronnie Davies. What he does with Ronnie for the upper body may work, but he needs to work the basics - the footwork was terrible. He needs to fix it."

Billy Joe Saunders

"Yes, I think he can go on and win a world title.

"I thought Billy Joe was very good. He was relaxed, loose, fast with his hands - I like that. I was impressed with a lot of what he did.

"You look at him fighting and you look at Chris, who was very tense, trying to load up with shots. Billy Joe was relaxed, loose, let his shots go in easy combinations and that's why it flowed with him, that's why he could keep it up.

"He was hit a couple of times and came through it, so again I was very impressed with him."