By Scott Gilfoid: With most boxing fans seeing Francesco Pianeta as having zero chance of pulling off the upset on August 18, Tyson Fury is working overtime to build him up to make him sound like the ultimate world beater for their fight at Windsor Parker in Belfast, Northern Ireland.
Pianeta and Fury sparred many years ago before the German was knocked out in the 6th round by Wladimir Klitschko in 2013. Fury came away from the sparring session impressed with Pianeta. Of course, that was five years ago Pianeta’s career has imploded since then with four defeats. The unkindest cut of all for Pianeta was his recent 7th round knockout loss to 38-year-old journeyman Kevin Johnson last year in October. Pianeta is no longer firing on all eight cylinders it seems and he’s been picked out to face Fury.
Fury, 29, selected Pianeta to get a sure thing win in his second fight of his comeback to the sport. Pianeta is viewed by boxing fans as the token lamb being brought into the ring for Fury to shine against. Although has had plenty of interest from the top heavyweights willing to face him, he’s being matched against Pianeta instead. It’s certainly understandable that Fury would be facing someone in Pianeta’s class after all the time that he’s had out of the ring. Fury was out of the ring for 2 ½ years after his career best victory over Wladimir Klitschko in 2015.
Th3 6’5” former two-time heavyweight world title challenger Pianeta (35-4, 21 KOs) has been getting beaten around the clock in recent losses to journeymen Kevin Johnson, Petar Milas and Rulan Chagaev.
“Pianeta is just one win away from being back right there among the best,” Fury said to ESPN.com. “Everybody brings their A-game when they face me. They know it’s a lottery win if they can beat me.”
Well, if Pianeta beats Fury, I wouldn’t say he’s back among the best in the heavyweight division like Fury says. If Pianeta wins this fight, he’s just going to make Fury look absolutely shot. Pianeta is not going to be viewed as material for Deontay Wilder and Anthony Joshua to fight. I mean, if Pianeta takes Fury’s scalp on August 18, it means that a rematch will take place between them and a lot of boxing fans will be howling with laughter until that time. No doubt that it’ll be bad for Fury if he gets whipped by Pianeta, but it won’t mean that the German fighter will be ready to take on the best in the heavyweight division.