Tyson Fury believes he will be on the verge of a world title shot if he beats American Kevin Johnson on Saturday.

Fury, who relinquished the British and Commonwealth titles earlier this year to take a different route to the top, is closing on WBC champion Vitali Klitschko.

It remains to be seen whether the 41-year-old from Ukraine will fight again, but even if not Fury is confident he can beat brother Wladimir, who holds all the other belts.

"Johnson's going to go home a happy loser with a pay cheque, whereas I'm going to move on to the next level," he told the Daily Star.

"I'm the greatest heavyweight since Lennox Lewis and I'm just happy someone has finally grown a pair and agreed to fight me.

"Whatever Vitali decides to do I will fight for the vacant title or I will go and fight Wladimir next summer."

Pudding

Fury predictably upped the trash-talking ahead of his fight with Johnson, who lost a landslide points decision to Vitali some years ago.

"Kevin Johnson is a fat pudding and a slow fighter, I will cut him in half with one of the body shots I've been working on," he added.

"He's got a great big head so how am I going to miss that?"

Fury's promoter Mick Hennessy has already said talks have taken place with the Klitschkos regarding a possible fight next year.

The Morecambe-based giant can ill-afford to slip up against 'Kingpin' Johnson at the weekend.