Tyson Fury has credited Deontay Wilder with spurring him on during his difficult time away from boxing as the British heavyweight prepares for his return to the ring.
Fury (25-0, 18 KOs), who hasn't fought since his famous victory over Wladimir Klitschko back in November 2015, is set to fight on June 9 against a currently unnamed fighter.
The former IBF-WBA-WBO world heavyweight champion signed with Warren back in April, and this upcoming bout will be the first of a multi-fight deal.
"I can't say how delighted I am," Fury said at Thursday's press conference. "It was Deontay Wilder who spurred me on where he said I couldn't do it, couldn't return. He said Tyson Fury is done. I can have a hand tied behind my back and beat Wilder.
"I was walking my dog along the canal and I looked at myself and thought 'you fat pig'. I felt like jumping in and drowning myself. The fire is back now. I'm ready to fight today, tomorrow, whenever.
"Every time I went to the pub and had 10 pints I thought, 'yes, I want to fight now' but I didn't. I'm in a very, very good place. I feel fully focused. Fit, strong and fast. I needed that time to off to recoup and rest.
"A happy fighter is a dangerous fighter. The two years out helped me, I never had a break since starting as a child."
While the opponent for Fury's return remains unnamed, Warren did state it will be announced within "the next couple of weeks" and insisted the Manchester boxer is here to stay this time.
"There is no bigger fight than Fury vs. Joshua," said Warren. "The man they've got to beat is Tyson, the lineal champion, who never lost his titles in the ring.
"It's not about fighting for the title. It's about winning it and defending it. That's the plan -- to win it, not just make an appearance."
