Tyson Fury promoter Bob Arum expects heavyweight back in ring ‘before the end of the year’
Fury has vowed to remain retired but could become undisputed champion if opts to fight again
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Tyson Fury could be back in the ring ‘before the end of the year’, according to the heavyweight champion’s US promoter Bob arum.
Following Fury’s knockout of Dillian Whyte at Wembley Stadium in April, the unbeaten Briton vowed to retire from professional boxing. While Fury has expressed an interest in taking part in exhibition bouts, he has poured cold water on the idea of a fight against the winner of Anthony Joshua and Oleksandr Usyk’s rematch.
The pair will square off in Saudi Arabia in August as Joshua tries to regain the WBA, WBO, IBF and IBO heavyweight titles from the undefeated Ukrainian, who outpointed “AJ” to win the belts in September.
Fury’s victory over Whyte saw the 33-year-old retain the WBC title, and a clash with the winner of Joshua and Usyk’s rematch would crown an undisputed heavyweight champion – as long as Fury does not vacate his belt before then.
Although Fury has played down the chances of competing against Joshua or Usyk, Arum remains convinced that the “Gypsy King” will return to the ring – although he has a different opponent in mind than Joshua or Usyk.
“He’s going to fight. He’s a fighting man, and I expect Tyson Fury back in the ring before the end of the year,” Arum told Queensberry Promotions.
“I think if Joe Joyce wins his fight in early July, Tyson Fury and Joyce at Wembley at the beginning of October will do as well if not better... I don’t know how you can do better, but as well as the Dillian Whyte fight with Tyson Fury.
“That will lead to a Fury fight against the winner of Joshua and Usyk. I’ll do the best I can to make sure that fight takes place in the UK, because I don’t think it’s good for boxing to have a fight like that and putting it in Saudi Arabia.”
Briton Joyce is an Olympic silver medalist and is unbeaten as a professional boxer.
The 36-year-old’s record stands at 13-0 (12 knockouts), and he will look to improve it again when he faces Christian Hammer at Wembley Arena on 2 July.
Hammer is an old opponent of Fury’s, having suffered an eighth-round loss to the “Gypsy King” in 2015.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments