WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder is taking an absolute shellacking from all sides with the rumours over his potential September opponent, with the surprise announcement that 20 year old Hughie Fury (cousin of Tyson) had potentially been selected for his in ring return, that is mooted to be on September 26th – around 6 1/2 weeks away.
Hughie’s father and trainer Peter, announced that contact between camps had been made, with Wilder’s representatives approaching them for a fight in “4 weeks time”, later confirming that given a full 8 week camp they would then take the opportunity.
“If @hughiefury gets 8 weeks we will take it 1000% We don’t do bottle jobs in this camp! @Tyson_Fury” Peter wrote on his twitter.
However, it’s thought they are more keen on a fight with veteran American Shannon Briggs on the undercard of Tyson’s undercard challenge to Wladimir Klitschko in October.
Brigg’s – who was brutalized by Vitali Klitschko in 2010 – has an unhealthy obsession with Wladimir, following the champion around seemingly endlessly, hijacking media events and posting social media clips that grow more tiresome and less funny to many people every time he does it.
However it would be a good fight for the young Fury against the aging American former world champion, in terms of experience and profile – he is only 20 after all, and as the Klitschko/Tyson Fury bout is to be a massive stadium event on the road in Germany, it’s a chance to experience things many young pros of his age don’t.
Briggs has won seven on the spin since returning to the sport in April 2014.
As far as Wilder goes, the rumours of former world title challenger Chris Arreola being the next opponent won’t go away, despite Arreola looking poor recently battling to a draw against the limited Fred Kassi.
After the Eric Molina homecoming shambles of June, fans are demanding serious and credible opponents from the “Bronze Bomber” before his mandatory against Alexander Povetkin is due in January.
“No opponent is out of the runnings, this is the thing about boxing, nobody is out.” he said via fighthype at the media event surrounding last weekend’s Garcia/Malignaggi fight with regards to his next opponent.
“We’re always looking for a step above the next (sic) opponent. Whoever come in there, it’s gonna be up to them what they bring. Some may bring fear and then feel they can do things when they get inside the ring, some already have confidence.”
“All talk on the outside doesn’t mean nothing.”
“I don’t think you can judge a man when it’s time to fight for that (world) title, when you look at records and stuff it don’t mean nothing, he said.”
Fingers crossed for a solid opponent then!