Hughie Fury wants to bring some cheer to Manchester

LONDON, May 28, (AFP): Hughie Fury wants to win the world heavyweight crown in front of his home fans in Manchester and bring them ‘some light’ in the wake of the ‘darkness’ of Monday’s suicide bombing that killed 22 and wounded dozens.

The 22-year-old — who is the cousin of troubled former heavyweight world champion Tyson Fury — is the mandatory challenger for New Zealand’s WBO titleholder Joseph Parker.

He is eyeing a date in September after his first tilt at Parker in Auckland on May 6th had to be abandoned because the English pugilist had a back injury — the Kiwi eased to a unanimous points victory over Fury’s replacement Razvan Cojanu.

Fury, who has an unblemished record of 20 wins including 10 by knockout, wants to have the bout at the Manchester Arena, the venue where the suicide bombing by Salman Abedi took place — provided it is fit for purpose by then.

Fury, who has yet to fight in Manchester, said the lift Manchester United’s 2-0 victory over Dutch side Ajax in the Europa League final on Wednesday had showed how sport could help in the rebuilding process.

Fury’s wish to help in boosting morale and contributing to the rebuilding process is the latest from a major local sporting figure or team.

Manchester United and Manchester City have made a joint donation of £1million ($1.2m, 1.1m euros) to a fund for the victims and their families.