WBC Heavyweight Champion Tyson Fury is yet to announce the next defence of his iconic green and gold belt, and the sanctioning body doesn’t seem in a rush to force his hand.
‘The Gypsy King’s’ last mandatory defence came against Dillian Whyte in December 2021, followed by an underwhelming trilogy fight against Derek Chisora in October 2022.
Last year, the WBC ruled that former three-time Fury foe, Deontay Wilder, should fight Andy Ruiz Jr in a final eliminator for a mandatory shot at the title. The fight never materialised
Speaking to Sky, WBC President Mauricio Sulaimán revealed the recent conversation he has had with Fury’s promoter, Frank Warren.
Warren previously hoped that there would be a challenger announced so negotiations could begin. Sulaimán said that, whilst unfortunate, he would not be changing the ruling to help find an opponent.
“My meeting with Frank Warren was an informal one but [one] in which we discussed the heavyweight division and how unfortunate it has been that Tyson Fury has been left aside without the fights they have tried to make.
The WBC has the Wilder vs Ruiz final elimination still in the administrative process. Such a process is not finished. The WBC is not considering any alternative.”
Wilder and Ruiz have been more positive on the fight in recent times, apparently open to a late August or early September showdown. That doesn’t do much for Fury, who is also said to be fighting in September.
He has promised a “big announcement” is coming on social media. Whyte told Sky Sports he believes it could be a fight against former UFC champion Francis Ngannou.
“I don’t know what’s going on with Fury and Usyk, apparently he’s going to be fighting Francis Ngannou in a huge super-fight or something like that.”
Whoever it is, the general consensus is fights must happen before the current mix of heavyweights passes their prime. For his part, Sulaimán seems content to wait it out a little longer, so fans will have to as well.