With Artur Beterbiev against Anthony Yarde seemingly a done deal for the autumn promoter Bob Arum is hoping to put together an even bigger draw for the same time of year.
The Top Rank boss was talking to Dev Sahni before Beterbiev went on to destroy Joe Smith Jr to become WBC, IBF and WBO light heavyweight champion. Next up for the formidable Russian is a mandatory defence in London against Anthony Yarde in October.
One man whose future continues to provide a constant mound of speculation is Tyson Fury. Last week the WBC Heavyweight champion revealed he will return to the ring at some point putting an end to a six-week retirement. He and his co-promoter Frank Warren hinted at a big announcement to come, but Fury’s other promotional representative Bob Arum knows exactly who he would like ‘The Gypsy King’ to fight next.
“I expect Tyson Fury back in the ring before the end of the year,” said Arum.
“I think for example if Joe Joyce wins his fight in early July, Tyson Fury, and Joe Joyce in Wembley in the beginning of October will do as well as the Dillian Whyte fight with Tyson Fury. That will then lead up to a Fury fight with the winner of Joshua and Usyk. And I’ll do the best I can to make sure that fight takes place in the UK.”
Joyce returns on July 2 after a year out to take on veteran Christian Hammer at Wembley Arena.