Tyson Fury insists June 9 comeback opponent Sefer Seferi is credible despite cruiserweight career KOing ‘Romanian roadsweepers’

TYSON FURY says his June 9 comeback opponent is a worthy rival – descended from a Macedonian king – despite his generous record littered with “Romanian roadsweepers”.

Sefer Seferi is a 39-year-old Albanian cruiserweight, making the step up to face the Gypy King on June 9 in the top division he once ruled.

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The Switzerland-based fighter has lost only once, to former WBA heavyweight champ Manuel Charr, but he will be dwarfed by the 6ft 9in Traveller when they meet at the Manchester Arena.

Like the Furys, fighting runs in the Seferi blood with 41-year-old brother Nuri losing to British hero Herbie Hide in 2008.

But Fury – who is making his long-awaited return after two-years-and-seven-months sidelined with injury, personal problems and a doping ban – admits he may have had his record padded out.

The 29-year-old said: “He’s very tough. His brother  is very tough and he fought the heavyweight champion of the world, Herbie Hide. Hide beat him on points.

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“These Albanian fellas are very, very tough. That’s why I picked him. He’s a distant relative of a barbarian, who was a Macedonian king.

“I need the rounds because I’ve been out for a long time. I need rounds. I don’t need a knockout after 10 seconds.

MY ERA, MY TIME Tyson Fury won’t sleep until he proves he’s better than Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder

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“I need someone who’s tough, can take the punches and who can keep coming forward to put me under pressure.

“He’s 6ft 2in and is going to weigh about 100 kilos. He’s tanned, got black hair, is a good-looking chap.

“What else do I know? I know he took Manuel Charr, who was the WBA heavyweight champion of the world, 10 rounds. I know he’s only had one loss and 21 knockouts. I think he’s good enough.

“Any man who’s had 24 fights and only lost once on points and never been knocked out can’t be a pushover.

“Even if he’s fought Romanian roadsweepers, they all taking knocking out. Try punching someone and knocking them out, it’s quite hard.”

Fury insists he could challenge Anthony Joshua or Deontay Wilder for their heavyweight titles tomorrow.

But promoter Frank Warren has been far more realistic and targeted three or four tune-up fights to regain the form and fitness that helped him topple Wladimir Klitschko in 2015.

And undefeated Fury – who now claims to be representing all mental health sufferers with his ring return – says every fight will be crucial as he clings to his mythical status as lineal champ.

He said: “I’m taking him deadly serious. This is a world title fight for me.

“Every one of these people who fight me are challenging me for my lineal heavyweight status.

“If I’m as good as I think I am, I should win comfortably. If I’m useless, I’ll lose.”