John Fury has tipped UFC fighter Tom Aspinall to succeed his son Tyson Fury as the world heavyweight champion in boxing.
Aspinall has earmarked himself as a name to look out for since making his UFC debut on Fight Island last year.
Having secured knockouts against Jake Collier and Alan Baudot, Aspinall then went on to choke out former heavyweight champion Andrei Arlovski before defeating Sergey Spivak inside a round last month.
In his younger days, Aspinall helped Fury by sparring with the WBC champion ahead of his meeting with Wladimir Klitschko in 2015.
The Liverpool-based fighter impressed team Fury with his fast hands and quick movement, and rather than any of the names currently competing with his son in the heavyweight division, John can see Aspinall making the successful move into the ring from the octagon.
“I’m telling you now, Tom Aspinall will do big things in the UFC, but he’ll also have a crossover bout and he’ll probably be the first MMA fighter to do mega things in boxing as well,” Fury Sr told Give Me Sport.
“Because he can actually box well, punches hard, and moves really well for a heavyweight.
“He’s a big guy, six foot four or five, eighteen stone.
“But he’s got bottle and guts to burn, and he’s a big strong lad. He’s willing to learn and improve his game.
“He’s a good listener Tom Aspinall, I like him, I like his attitude, he’s a warrior like Tyson.”
Fury added: “He doesn’t let nothing overcome him. He doesn’t let nothing get in his way.
“Look at the mark he’s already making, he’s in the top 10 now in the UFC, he’s only young still.
“And I think when he’s done there, he can be the first crossover to come from the MMA world to conventional boxing and win titles, and I said that first.
“Keep doing your thing Tom Aspinall, you’re great mate, I like you a lot.”
