Tyson Fury is being backed by boxing fans to beat Deontay Wilder if the two square up in a heavyweight super-fight.
Former world champion Fury revealed yesterday that his team was in advanced talks with the WBC belt holder regarding a fight in the US before the end of the year.
A deal to fight American Wilder was “very close to being done” said the Gypsy King, who will first face Italian Francesco Pianeta on 18 August in Belfast.
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In a video on social media, Fury vowed to “flatten” Pianeta first before stepping into the ring with the “Bronze Bomber” Wilder. The fight could take place in December in either Las Vegas or New York, says The Guardian.
In an interview with the BBC, Fury’s promoter Frank Warren said: “We are close to making this happen. Is it too soon? The next fight will give us the answer. The way Tyson is looking in the gym, he’s lost another couple of stone, he’s very focused.”
The promoter said the former world champion was prepared for a fight outside the UK. “Tyson doesn’t care where it happens. He’ll fly to the States if needed”, he said, adding that the boxer was on top form. “If I didn’t think he was ready I wouldn’t put him forward”, said Warren. “If he comes through the Pianeta fight in August, I expect him to fight Wilder before the end of the year. He wants it. He feels good about everything. He’s in a good place at the moment both physically and mentally.”
After a 32-month absence Fury returned to the ring on 9 June when he beat Sefer Seferi on his boxing comeback at the Manchester Arena. His career highlight was the stunning victory against Wladimir Klitschko in 2015 where he won the WBA, IBF and WBO world titles.
Can Fury beat Wilder?
Since the news broke yesterday that Fury was in talks with Wilder, a number of polls have been published on Twitter to predict the outcome of the potential fight. BT Sport’s Twitter poll has 72% of the 47,000 votes backing Fury to win against the American.
Joshua warns Fury and Wilder
Wilder had been a possible opponent for Anthony Joshua, but the British boxing star announced that he will defend his IBF, WBA, WBO and IBO belts against Alexander Povetkin on 22 September at London’s Wembley Stadium.
Joshua does, however, have another date booked at Wembley for next year – 13 April. No opponent has yet been announced.
Should he beat Povetkin and should Fury beat Wilder in their potential bout, could we see an all-British heavyweight clash at Wembley next year?
The Daily Express reports that Joshua has warned both Wilder and Fury that if they want to face him for all the belts they must “take a lower percentage of the purse”.
Joshua said: “I’ll say to all of them, Fury too, if you think you can beat me, if I wasn’t in the power position, I’d take less for fights. When I fought Charles Martin for the IBF title in 2016, I took a massive reduction in payment because I was willing to back myself.
“So you have to play the game a bit – beat me, beat me in a rematch and you are set up to be the king of the heavyweight division. If you believe it, then sign the contract and fight me.”
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