BOXING:Tyson Fury improved to 20 straight wins in Belfast on Saturday night to edge a step closer to a shot at the WBC World heavyweight title.

The unbeaten 6ft 9in orthodox registered a unanimous (119-110, 119-108, 119-108) decision over Kevin "Kingpin" Johnson from a dull 12-round eliminator at the Odyssey Arena.

Fury (24) is now in line for a tilt at WBC champion Vitali Klitschko, who beat US-born Johnson on a unanimous decision in 2009.

However, if Klitschko, who is pursuing a political career in his native Ukraine, retires, Fury will face either Chris Arreola or Bermane Stiverne, who meet in another eliminator next month. They clash in California on January 26th, but if Klitschko goes that fight will be for the vacant WBC belt and Fury will become the mandatory challenger.