Tyson Fury, love him or hate him, you can’t deny he isn’t a character. All professional sports need entertainment, at the end of the day. That’s why they are ‘professional’ sports and not ‘amateur’. That’s why pro boxing is called ‘Prize Fighting.’ Fighters fight for money. Simple. Fury is just one fight away from a big money fight, too.

Standing in his way is Francesco Pianeta on Saturday night at Windsor Park in Belfast and should he win – a shot at WBC heavyweight champion of the world Deontay Wilder awaits.

If you went back to this time last year Fury probably would have even laughed himself at the notion of fighting for the title again so soon.

Compared to where he was physically and mentally.

But he’s got the spring in his step back now and seems happy in himself once again.

Bursting into song at the final press conference for this weekend’s fight as much illustration of that as one needs:

Physically, he’s looking as trim as he has done in a long time with an even lighter version of Fury expected at Friday’s weigh ins than for his previous bout.

A lot will come down to how quick and sharp he looks on Saturday however.

He simply has to look good if he’s hoping to use the fight as a launching pad to Wilder.