Trainer SugarHill Steward has been reunited with star fighter Tyson Fury for the first time since the Coronavirus lockdown.
The WBC heavyweight champion had been unable to work with his coach for six months due to the chaos caused by the Covid-19 Pandemic, but now serious business is beginning as Fury prepares for his delayed trilogy fight with Deontay Wilder.
According to The Sun, Steward has arrived in the UK as the duo attempt to draw a line under the Wilder rivalry with a projected two-fight series against unified champion Anthony Joshua looming in 2021.
Steward and co-trainer Andy Lee were widely praised for Fury’s gameplan as he trounced Wilder in seven rounds in February. Fury-Wilder III is currently scheduled for December 19 at the Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.
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Joshua Buatsi’s next opponent looks like being respected Croatian light-heavyweight Marko Calic in early October.
Handled by Swedish promoters Fight Life, Calic is undefeated in 11 contests (six inside the distance) and was previously the sparring partner of unified champion Artur Beterbiev.
Widely regarded as one of British boxing’s finest hopes, Buatsi (12-0, 10 KOs) hasn’t fought for 13 months since he KOed Ryan Ford in seven rounds on the Vasiliy Lomachenko-Luke Campbell undercard.
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Leeds super-bantam Jack Bateson returned from a one-year lay-off to outscore Birmingham’s previously unbeaten Matt Craddock at Hangar 34 in Liverpool on Sunday night.
Former amateur star Bateson (12-0, 3 KOs) won as he pleased, dictating every round in an assured performance as he gears up for a title shot in the next year. Referee Mark Lyson scored 60-54.
Main image: Steward (pictured to the immediate right of Fury) after the Wilder demolition in February. Photo: Ryan Hafey/PBC.