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Tyson Fury thanks God, coaching team as he prepares for Francesco Pianeta fight

Tyson Fury has thanked God and his coaching team ahead of his fight with Francesco Pianeta later this month.

The former heavyweight champion took to Instagram on Thursday to herald the influence of religion on his life, saying that God had made "everything possible".

Fury (26-0, 19 KOs) also praised the impact of his coaching team as he ramps up preparations for the clash against Pianeta (35-4, 21 KOs).

"I'd like to take this opportunity to say a massive thanks to my boy Ben Davison, Kristian Blacklock and Greg Marriott for getting me back fit and ready for the fight," he wrote. "But without my God this wouldn't be possible.

"All praise and glory to God."

Fury is a born-again Christian thanks in part to his uncle Ernest, a Pentecostal preacher.

He also referenced God in a similar post after beating Wladimir Klitschko to become world champion in 2015, and has been known to quote passages from the Bible in interviews and on social media.

Fury faces Pianeta at Windsor Park on Aug.18 in his second fight since returning from a drugs ban.