Tyson Fury’s focus on his upcoming fight with former UFC champion Francis Ngannou could be disrupted by a potential challenge to his WBC belt.
‘The Gypsy King’ will take on Ngannou on Ocotber 28 in Riyadh in a much-anticipated crossover bout, but the WBC are seemingly already lining up his next fight.
The Daily Star have reported that a title fight with either Anthony Joshua or Deontay Wilder could be Fury’s next assignment.
The 35-year-old has already defended the WBC belt on three occasions since taking it from Wilder in 2020, with the most recent challenge from Derek Chisora seen off late last year.
There has been frustration among boxing fans that the fight with Ngannou has delayed another title decider.
Tyson Fury could be forced to defend his WBC title in his next fight in the New Year
Fury is preparing to fight UFC champions Francis Ngannou in Saudi Arabia in October
It is likely that Fury will have to face one of Anthony Joshua (left) and Deontay Wilder (right)
However, it could now create time for a head-to-head between Joshua and Wilder to decide who will take on Fury in the New Year.
Joshua’s recent victory against Robert Helenius has kept his hopes of regaining his titles alive and set up the potential fight with Wilder.
An all-British affair involving Fury and Joshua has long been touted but is yet to come to fruition.
Wilder has already faced Fury on three occasions, losing the two most recent meetings after their draw in 2018.
The American has not fought since he also defeated Helenius in Ocotber 2022.
After promoter Eddie Hearn claimed it would be unlikely for a Joshua-Wilder fight to take place before the end of this year, a January or February date has been rumoured.
Hearn has suggested that Skill Challenge Entertainment, the Saudi organisation responsible for setting up Fury’s fight with Ngannou, are more interested in arranging similar cross-code fights.
Fury has already faced Wilder on three occasions, winning twice and taking the WBC belt from him in 2020
He said: ‘For us, we’ve agreed to terms for Joshua and Wilder, but until we receive a contract, the fight’s not happening.
‘Everybody has agreed to terms, but until the money is put in place, the fight’s not happening.
‘There’s a movement in management and ownership of boxing in Saudi, and it’s up to them what they want to do.
‘If they don’t want to do Joshua-Wilder, maybe it goes somewhere else, but it’s one of the biggest fights in heavyweight boxing.’