John Fury has predicted that UFC heavyweight Tom Aspinall could become the first MMA fighter to achieve major success in boxing, potentially succeeding his son Tyson Fury as world heavyweight champion.
Aspinall, who has been making waves in the UFC since his debut on Fight Island last year, has secured knockouts against Jake Collier and Alan Baudot, and submitted former champion Andrei Arlovski before defeating Sergey Spivak inside a round last month.
The Liverpool-based fighter previously sparred with Tyson Fury ahead of his 2015 clash with Wladimir Klitschko, impressing team Fury with his speed and movement. John Fury believes Aspinall has the attributes to transition successfully from the octagon to the ring.
“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.”
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.”
