Bob Arum, the influential head of Top Rank, which co-promotes the WBC heavyweight champion, says Tyson Fury could still fight Oleksandr Usyk next.
Fury will next box in a non-title bout against Francis Ngannou, the mixed martial artist and former UFC titleholder, and he has himself suggested he would go on to fight other names from the world of mixed martial arts, such as Jon Jones.
But Arum believes Fury’s next bout will actually be an undisputed title showdown with Ukrainian Usyk, who holds the WBO, WBA and IBF heavyweight belts.
“It wouldn’t be hard to do,” Arum said. Sky Sports. “I know Usyk’s people, they’re good people. His manager, his promoter, they’re great people.
“Usyk himself is a great guy. I think he wants that fight. I think that fight will happen and I hope it happens sooner rather than later.”
Although previous negotiations to make Fury vs Usyk have failed, Arum confirms that not only will it be next, but it could be just months away. “Maybe early next year but it could happen as early as December,” he said.
Please use Chrome browser for an easily accessible video player
Speaking on Toe2Toe, Scott Welsh discusses the Tyson Fury vs. Francis Ngannou fight and his future after that bout
However, he does not expect Fury to have a large number of bouts.
“I’d like to see him fight Usyk. I think once he fights Usyk and assuming he beats Usyk, I think he’ll get a win, maybe two more fights and let the younger guys take over,” Arum said.
Heir to the throne?
One of the upcoming “youngsters” is the American super heavyweight Jared Anderson.
Arum would like to see him fight Britain’s Daniel Dubois, the final contender for the title.
“Perfection,” he said. “So Frank [Warren, Dubois’ promoter] He will serve him to me, and we will take him.”
Please use Chrome browser for an easily accessible video player
Jared Anderson continued his unbeaten streak as he ascended through the heavyweight division, stopping Andrei Rudenko in five rounds
Anderson will return to work soon.
“He’s fighting again in November, I think it’s Thursday, the 16th in Vegas on a big card with Shakur Stevenson,” Arum explained. “Formula One race week in Las Vegas.
He added: “He will have fought four times this year, and we hope that he will be in the ring four more times next year, and after that we will strive for a world title.”
