JOE JOYCE’S team are pushing to make his fight with Joseph Parker for the WBC title after Tyson Fury’s latest retirement announcement.
Fury initially hung up his gloves after knocking out Dillian Whyte at Wembley in April.
But four months later he spoke out to claim he was returning to fight Derek Chisora, 38, in an unlikely trilogy following his 2011 and 2014 wins.
Then only two days after, on his 34th birthday, Fury doubled down on his retirement and vacated his Ring Magazine belt.
He is yet to do the same with his WBC title and has been given until August 26 to inform them of his decision in writing.
But SunSport understands Joyce’s team are already pushing to make his heavyweight bout with Parker, 30, for the vacant belt.
READ MORE IN BOXING
The pair headline in Manchester on September 24 and do so both highly ranked in the WBC.
Joyce, 36, is No2 while Parker is just a place behind him with only ex-champ Deontay Wilder, 36, ahead of the two.
But given Fury’s deadline, Joyce’s request might be knocked back or a shot at the “interim” belt could be offered.
In theory, that gives the title holder a guaranteed shot at the full title, like was the case with Whyte, 34.
Most read in Boxing
JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET A FREE £10 BONUS WITH 100s OF GAMES TO PLAY AND NO DEPOSIT REQUIRED (Ts&Cs apply)
Fury’s promoters are still hoping the Gypsy King will be tempted back for a historic, first ever four-belt heavyweight unification.
But firstly, Oleksandr Usyk, 35, must rematch Anthony Joshua, 32, in Saudi Arabia on Saturday following his win in September.
Joyce is the WBO mandatory challenger for the winner, but amid hopes of a unification, he faces a wait for his shot.
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
