Tyson Fury reveals his next fight will 'definitely' be early 2022
- Joe Hewlett
- 24 November 2021
Fury is hoping to fight again in February before looking to unify the division in the second half of 2022...
Tyson Fury will 'definitely be fighting' in early 2022 despite having no opponent confirmed.
The undefeated WBC heavyweight titlist attended Boxxer's most recent show on Saturday night to support cousin Hosea Burton in his pursuit to become British champion.
Despite producing a brave performance, he came up short and tasted a defeat inside the distance to Dan Azeez.
As for Fury, he is the No.1 fighter in the heavyweight division following his two knockout wins of Deontay Wilder, the most recent being a TKO in round 11 this year.
The "Gypsy King" is adamant on returning early next year although Dillian Whyte - his expected opponent - is yet to be named as mandatory to his green-and-gold belt.
"He told me that he will definitely be fighting in February or March but doesn't know who it will be against," Shalom told Sky Sports.
"It's out of Tyson's hands. But he does want to fight in February or March, whether it's against Dillian or not. He is adamant about that."
Shalom added: "He's a great guy. We are both from Manchester and we know the same people. We have a similar understanding. It was good to see him at our show. He is very supportive."
Usyk showdown won't be next
Anthony Joshua is intent on facing Oleksandr Usyk next year in a rematch with a chance to become a three-time heavyweight champion.
AJ surrendered his titles to Usyk via unanimous decision in September but is expected to take on the Ukrainian in March or April, according to Eddie Hearn.
It leaves Fury with options of a potential all-British battle with either Whyte or Joe Joyce, who is open to the possibility of fighting him next.
"I'm not really interested, because to be honest it doesn't really make much sense who I want to fight at this moment," Fury told Sky Sports. "It's who's available and what makes sense later on."
Whyte has told Sky Sports about chasing down Fury: "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 Wilder?
"He said he was going to fight me after he beat Wilder, then he ran away. Let's see what he does."
UK return for Fury
Top Rank's Bob Arum - who promotes Fury in the US - believes Fury will make the second defence of his WBC title in the UK.
His last five fights, including three fights against Wilder and a points win over Otto Wallin, have all taken place across the Atlantic. Fury has become a global superstar but Arum has claimed he will have a homecoming bout next.
"It is very, very important that Tyson, having done his last five fights in the US, that he goes back and does a fight in the UK," he said.
Joyce is a viable option and is undefeated from 13 bouts, with a standout win over prospect Daniel Dubois in 2020. He is currently mandatory challenger to Usyk's WBO crown but could be waiting another 12 months before negotiating a bout against the two-division king.
"Joyce will fight anyone," Joyce's management SJAM told Sky Sports. "He's never turned down a fight and now he's ready for the real elite of heavyweight boxing.
"He's No 1 with the WBO and No 2 with the WBC and he wants to win belts. I'm speaking to his promoters [headed by Frank Warren] regularly and they know what our objectives are.
"A fight with a boxer of Fury's quality is something he would relish. Joe's durability and engine are a match for anyone in the sport."
