Deontay Wilder Targets the ‘Other’ Fury
Before Deontay Wilder defends his WBC Heavyweight crown against Alexander Povetkin next year, the undefeated champ is looking to pick a challenger for September 26th. If you didn’t like the sound of Chris Arreola bouncing around the rumor mill, you probably won’t like the sound of Hughie Fury (16-0, 8 KO) , either.
Peter Fury, the father/trainer of both Hughie Fury and Tyson, recently had this to say on Twitter:
Peter Fury (@PeterFury): Call just came in from USA asking @hughiefury to fight Wilder in 4 weeks. Getting noticed @Tyson_Fury
Hughie Fury is a work in progress and nowhere near ready to challenge for a world title. So Peter wouldn’t warm to such a fight any time soon, right?
Peter Fury: If @hughiefury gets 8 weeks we will take it 1000%. We don’t do bottle jobs in this camp!! @Tyson_Fury
Mmm…but at least this fight has next to no chance of happening this year – if Peter sticks to his guns, that is. The trainer then threw his preferred match-up into the mix:
Peter Fury: Briggs v Hughie on klitchko Bill massive for Briggs to get his dream fight with klitchko. & exposure. We like it.
We don’t like either of those fights. Fury is nowhere near ready for Wilder (34-0, 33 KO) – even if he had 16 weeks to train – or the aging yet vastly experienced, dangerous Briggs. Yes, you heard us. Shannon Briggs (58-6-1, 51 KO) would be a risky fight; look at Hughie’s opposition to date, and try telling yourself Briggs’ power wouldn’t represent a significant obstacle for any Heavyweight pup.
Stay tuned for more developments on Deontay Wilder’s September opponent.
Lee Selby Shakes Hands With Al Haymon
Lee Selby is the latest fighter from the UK to shake hands with boxing’s most influential mastermind Al Haymon. In case you’ve been living in a cave, Haymon is the man behind game-changing Premier Boxing Champions, and also acts as a manager/adviser for over 200 boxers.
His stable boasts some of the sport’s biggest names including Floyd Mayweather, Keith Thurman, plus British fighters such as James DeGale, Amir Khan and now Lee Selby.
Selby, who’ll be ‘advised’ by Haymon (but still managed by Chris Sanigar and promoted by Matchroom Boxing), recently spoke to Boxing News:
“I’m delighted to have signed with Al Haymon and I’m looking forward to boxing in some massive fights ahead,” he said. “I’m also pleased to continue with Chris Sanigar, who’s been with me since the start of my pro career. It’s exciting times ahead and I can’t wait for my first world title defense.”
Sanigar is also backing his client’s decision to expand his career well beyond domestic shoes:
“Lee has been based out in the USA for his last five training camps and it was always our ambition longer term for Lee to box in the USA as well as at home in the UK.”
It would certainly seem like logical business sense for Selby (21-1, 8 KO), who recently captured the IBF title from Evgeny Gradovich via Technical Decision. It wasn’t the most desired of outcomes, but the 28-year-old Welshman looked the real deal.
What are your thoughts on Deontay Wilder eying a clash with growing prospect Hughie Fury, and, Lee Selby uniting with Al Haymon?
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