Heavyweight title challenger and Tyson Fury’s cousin, Hughie Fury, is poised to finally return to action after a lengthy battle with long COVID, nearly three years since his most recent professional bout.
Hughie had strung together a run of three successive wins before his absence from the heavyweight division, finding himself ranked as high as third with the WBA, until he was removed in late 2022 for inactivity after pulling out of a bout against Michael Hunter.
However, GBM Sports have now confirmed that he will fight next month at the Magna Centre in Rotherham, taking part in a contest against an unnamed opponent, whilst middleweight prospect Shakiel Thompson headlines the bill on April 20th.
Due to his prolonged absence from the ring, it’s expected that Fury’s bout may be a six rounder to reintroduce him to the sport and get the wheels in motion for a more intriguing fight down the line, yet his return does open up doors for some potential domestic dust-ups.
Each of Daniel Dubois and Joe Joyce will be looking for opponents to build their profile and or confidence and the inactivity of Fury, as well as his name, could put a target on the back of the 29-year-old.
Although, Hughie could instead opt to finally face Michael Hunter, who recently announced his own return in Uzbekistan on April 14th, after completing just two rounds since his disappointing 2021 draw against Jerry Forrest.
With Tyson Fury’s brother Roman appearing on a Saudi Arabian undercard earlier this month and Tommy headlining in the Kingdom against Jake Paul last year, Hughie could become the fourth Fury to fight in the newfound home of boxing.