Tyson Fury next fight date confirmed by Bob Arum
Tyson Fury (31-0-1, 22KOs) is currently without a mandatory challenger after the WBC opted against ordering a fight against British rival Dillian Whyte while Anthony Joshua's rematch with Oleksandr Usyk is expected early next year.
However, Tyson Fury’s next fight will take place no later than March 2022, the world heavyweight champion’s co-promoter from America, Bob Arum, has confirmed.
Fury is currently without a scheduled bout after the WBC decided to not yet order a mandatory clash against No.1 contender Dillian Whyte.
The governing body had been expected to confirm Whyte as Fury’s challenger but announced they could not order the fight until an ongoing legal issue with Londoner Whyte has been resolved.
Talks had reportedly opened for the fight to take place in the UK – with Fury’s last fight on home soil coming back in 2018 – but the 'Gypsy King' must now look elsewhere.
Whyte’s lawsuit with the WBC is expected to drag on for months meaning Fury could be forced to wait for the outcome of the rematch between Anthony Joshua and Oleksandr Usyk.
Regardless of the outcome, the 33-year-old Mancunian is determined to return to the ring early next year.
Next Fight Date
Top Rank head honcho Arum said: "I spoke to Tyson Fury – he wants to fight again by the end of February, no later than the first week or so in March. That will happen."
Fury was given a 30-day window following October victory over Deontay Wilder to agree to a unification bout against Usyk, following the Ukranian's triumph against Joshua in September.
But the prospect of that clash was taken off the table for the time being after Joshua activated his rematch clause with the pair set to face-off again early in 2022.
Frank Warren confirmed the dates, “Tyson’s made it very clear he wants to fight in late February/early March and that’s what we’re moving forward to do.
“Tyson just wants to keep active, he’s had just one fight in 22 months. Whatever happens with Dillian Whyte will take its course.
“Tyson’s got to make a decision on who he’s going to fight, the decision will be his.
“We’re not going to be hampered by his [Whyte's] problems. They’re his to sort out.
“Tyson is the world champion, not Dillian Whyte. He’s not setting the ground rules here, that’s the champion that does that.”
Fury
"I'm just chilling, enjoying life, taking one day at a time, and enjoying myself," Fury told Sky Sports as he attended BOXXER Fight Night in Wembley.
"I'm not really interested, because to be honest it doesn't really make much sense who I want to fight at this moment.
"It's who's available and what makes sense later on."
Whyte
Whyte says Fury should have 'no choice' over a world title fight, telling Sky Sports this week: "He [Fury] will try to fight Usyk, because Usyk is a much easier fight for him.
"Fury has been mandated to fight me twice. He asked for the WBC 'Diamond' belt to fight me, but ran away when they agreed. He just keeps making excuses.
"Hopefully now he's got no choice. What's he going to do? Throw the belt in the bin and run away from more money than he got to fight [Deontay] Wilder?
"He said he was going to fight me after he beat Wilder, then he ran away. Let's see what he does."
Frank Warren added, “If everybody puts on their sensible head, sure, that’s a fight that can be made.
“Dillian’s team were talking 55/45, 60/40 – that’s not going to happen! He got knocked out two fights ago.
“Based on his last purse, he may not even get 80/20, not from us. Even if he wins the arbitration he might even get less.”
Fury vs Usyk
The WBC stated last month Fury and Usyk had 30 days to agree a fight, or Fury would be ordered to face the WBC interim champion, Whyte.
Despite the expiry of that deadline, Top Rank boss Arum told Sky Sports: "The alternative is that if Joshua decides not to exercise his rematch against Usyk and decides to step aside, the fight we would like to make is between Usyk and Fury.
"That is a fight to unify the titles once and for all.
"Then Joshua can fight the winner of the undisputed fight.
"Whyte can stand in line and fight the winner ultimately.
"That's what Tyson would like. And I represent Tyson. That is his preference.
"If they want to fight each other, which I believe they do? I would facilitate it."
A shoulder injury forced Whyte to withdraw from a scheduled fight against Otto Wallin, although he expects to recover in time to challenge Fury.
"Wherever they want the fight, whenever they want the fight, I don't care," said Whyte.
"I've been trying to fight him for a long time. I've been ready to fight him for a long time. I just want to fight him for the world title now."
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