Tyson Fury appears to split opinion in the boxing world. An English heavyweight champion after only eight professional fights, he has been lauded as a future king of the ring.

But he is almost as well-known for his outspoken ways outside the ring as he is for his ability inside it.

This year he has the chance to fulfil his dream of becoming a British champion when he takes on Dereck Chisora for the Lonsdale belt and prove that he is so much more that just talk.

In this special report James Robson gives his opinion on the giant heavyweight, as well as garnering the views of other experts in their field.

The writer – James Robson MEN boxing correspondent

Tyson Fury is a journalist’s dream. Outspoken, controversial and extremely personable. The first time I interviewed him, I was taken aback at just how candid he was.

But there was also the lingering doubt as to how much of what I was seeing was the real Tyson Fury, and how much was the character he was trying to project.

There was a bit of Ali, a touch of Prince Naz, Chris Eubank, Floyd Mayweather, Apollo Creed and just about every pantomime villain you care to mention. Fury seemed to be an affectation of every boxer he had seen when growing up.

While that’s great for filling column inches, there is also the danger that it will come back to haunt him, as so nearly happened when controversially defeating John McDermott on points for the English title two years ago.

Fury whipped his opponent into a frenzy that night and was almost made to eat his words.

While newspapers will relish his opinionated approach, he needs to be careful not to overstep the mark too soon.

In this sport, ability alone may not be enough to reach the top. Promoters, pay-per-view TV and fans alike, need characters – and Fury is certainly that.

He has the potential to fulfil his lofty ambitions – but if he fails, there will be plenty of snipers ready to rub salt in the wounds.

The man who discovered him – Steve Egan, head coach at Jimmy Egan’s Boxing Academy in Wythenshawe

He was 14 when he came to us and from the moment I saw him, I said he’d be heavyweight champion of the world one day. I still say his best performance was when he won the ABA championship. He was world class that night and should’ve gone on from that.

I thought he’d stay with me and develop, but we parted after winning the English title.

He’s a born fighter. He won’t lie down – he will fight to his last breath. But having been a professional for as long as he has, he should be looking like a big David Haye nowadays.

I’d like to say Tyson will beat Dereck Chisora , but it is a 50-50 fight. Chisora’s got a boxing brain and he’s getting better.

But why shouldn’t Tyson win? He’s 6ft 8ins with a boxing brain. He’s just got to develop more.

I would love to see him do it. I trained him from day one and if he does go on to win a world title, I know I’ll have had a massive hand in it.

The Promoter - Mick Hennessy, Hennessy Sports, Tyson’s promoter since he turned profession in 2008

He’s a dream for a promoter. Unlike most fighters who hide behind promoters, who say they will fight anybody, but in reality won’t, he’s the complete opposite.

I have to reel him in. He would fight anybody. He would fight David Haye or Vitali Klitschko tomorrow, but I have to hold him back.

From the day he turned professional I’ve had to manage his expectations, but he keeps taking on good fighters – kids with unbeaten records. He fought a seasoned pro like John McDermott after only eight professional fights. These are the minimum opponents he would take on.

He wanted bigger fighters from day one. He’s done it the hard way, but if it was down to him he would’ve taken on even bigger-named fighters.

It’s such a refreshing thing to see in this sport.

He can wind up opponents and that happened with McDermott. McDermott trained like a Trojan for that fight and Tyson still won.

There is no question he will be world champion in the future. I’ve believed that from day one – when I watched him as an amateur before I signed him.

I have a solid belief he will be world champion – but not only that, he will unify the heavyweight division.

He’s a marketing dream, but there have been a lot of non-believers. We’ve had to get over that hurdle and now people are starting to believe in him.

The coach - Joe Gallagher, who trains European lightweight champion John Murray and British lightweight champion Anthony Crolla

At the moment Tyson Fury is most famous for punching himself in the face on YouTube. But I’d prefer he be known for hitting other people instead.

I’ve no doubt he can do that and give Manchester its first heavyweight world champion.

He’s got all the physical attributes to do just that. He’s got good size, good reach and as an amateur he always had very fast hands.

He’s been over to Germany to train with Wladimir Klitschko so it is unlikely that anything is going to intimidate him in the ring.

This year he’s got the chance to gatecrash the world rankings. He’s been around for a while now and it’s time to put up or shut up.

The Boxer - Mike Holden, former British heavyweight champion

Fury will be a world champion. He’s got the talent and at 6ft 8ins he’s always going to be very, very difficult to box. But when I think of a proper class act I think of Wladimir Klitschko. He’s a physical specimen and right now Tyson Fury is not.

With the right management, if you are a half decent boxer, you can become world champion.  It doesn’t necessarily mean you are the best. But should Tyson get the chance, he’s got every opportunity with the advantage of his size and weight.

It’s wide open for him.

What do you think? Have your say.