Horse named Tyson Fury is hoping to be a knockout on the track as he prepares to enter next year's Derby 

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Connections of a two-year-old colt called Tyson Fury hope he can be as much of a knockout on the track as his namesake boxer is in the ring.

The former world heavyweight champion has given his blessing to owner Phil Cunningham of Rebel Racing and Newmarket trainer Richard Spencer naming the son of Iffraaj out of the dam Za Za Zoom after him.

Spencer revealed he and Cunningham approached Fury - who was most recently in action in December when fighting to a dramatic draw with Deontay Wilder in Los Angeles - on the venture when they met him on Saturday.

British boxer Tyson Fury has allowed his name to be given to a thoroughbred racehorse

It is early days for Tyson Fury but he has already been given an entry in next year's Derby

'We met him yesterday, which was great,' Spencer said.

'Phil Cunningham is friendly with one of his team, so that is how the link up came about and how we got to meet him.

'He's given us permission to name a horse after him, which is great. Hopefully, he can turn out to be all right.

'By the sounds of it Tyson might come up and have a look at the horse and hopefully come to the races. That would be great.'

It is early days for Tyson Fury, the thoroughbred racehorse, but he is already showing promise - so much so he has been given an entry in next year's Derby.

We last saw the boxer Fury in action when he went to a draw with Deontay Wilder in LA

'He's only a two-year-old, he's only cantering, but he's doing everything nicely,' said Spencer.

'He's got a Derby entry for 2020. We think he's a nice horse and we rate him. Let's hope he can progress.

'He's a big horse, so he's going to need a bit of time. I'd say all being well he'll be out in the middle of the year.'