Aussie bout on Fury list
Star keen to fight here
Heavyweight superstar Tyson Fury has revealed he is “100 per cent serious” about fighting in Australia after arriving in Melbourne to support close friend Joseph Parker.
“The Gypsy King” plans to party in Melbourne and will be ringside for Parker’s showdown with Faiga “Django” Opelu at Margaret Court Arena on Wednesday night.
While revealing that he is in talks for an undisputed heavyweight title fight against Oleksandr Usyk later this year, Fury said he would like to have a bout in Australia over the next two years and would gauge interest from local fight fans and visit various stadiums.
“It will be interesting to see how Australian fight fans act around a big heavyweight fight,” Fury told Fox Sports News on Monday.
Presenter Megan Barnard then asked Fury if he was serious about fighting in Australia, to which he replied: “I’m 100 per cent serious.”
Earlier, during the ParkerOpelu official press conference, Fury had joked: “If he (Parker) gets through this one, he gets to fight me in Australia. Show me the money.”
No Limit Boxing chief executive George Rose said while Fury usually “gets a couple more zeros on his offers than what I’ve got in my back pocket”, he would make all efforts to eventually stage a Fury bout in this country.
One of the world’s most recognisable athletes, Fury is the undefeated WBC heavyweight champion of the world, with an record of 33-0-1 (24 KO).
He and Parker have been friends and training partners for more than a decade, and Fury flew from Britain to support the Kiwi, who is making his debut on Australian shores.
Fury is in talks to make a mega-fight against Usyk later this year, probably in Saudi Arabia, in an event that could earn him a reported $160m. While the 34-year-old has previously hinted at retirement, he recently said he could fight for another decade.
With Australian boxing booming due to the likes of Tim Tszyu, Liam Wilson, Paulo Aokuso, Sam Goodman, Liam Paro and Michael Zerafa all in contention for major world title fights soon, it is possible Fury could be lured here over the next 24 months.
Parker, the former WBO heavyweight champion, is looking to get back in title contention and plans three fights this year, but must produce his best form against Opelu.
“In 10 years of boxing, this has been one of the best preparations I’ve ever had, even before winning the world title,” Parker said. “I feel sorry for Django, because he’s a fellow uso (Samoan brother), but it’s going to be full force.”