TYSON FURY’S promoter says his next fight is being finalised “this weekend” with Zhilei Zhang the frontrunner to be his opponent.
The WBC heavyweight champion defeated Derek Chisora last time out in December via a tenth round TKO at Tottenham Stadium.
That was on the back of him knocking out Dillian Whyte at Wembley last April in the sixth.
After talks collapsed for his unification showdown with Oleksandr Usyk, we reported how Wembley Stadium had allegedly been put on hold for two dates in July as Fury plotted his next title defence.
Former heavyweight champion Andy Ruiz Jr, who famously beat Anthony Joshua for the belts in 2019 before losing the rematch, was in the mix to be his opponent.
As was China’s 39-year-old Zhang, who is coming off last month’s major upset victory over Joe Joyce.
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Now Top Rank chief Bob Arum, Fury’s US promoter, has said that it is Zhang rather than the WBC ranked number two Mexican who is the frontrunner for the title shot.
And he also revealed that the contract could be all done and dusted before the start of next week.
Arum told Ringside Reporter: “No not really [Andy Ruiz]. We’re focusing on the Chinese kid that beat Joe Joyce, Zhilei Zhang, he’s the frontrunner for that fight.
“It’s likely for July, we’re trying to close that out over this weekend.”
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“Big Bang” Zhang instantly called Fury out as he outlined his ambition for a dream homecoming in China after his stunning upset against Joyce.
The 6ft 6in heavyweight returned to London 11 years after losing to Anthony Joshua in the Olympics.
But he made no mistakes in his quest for redemption in the capital as he brutally left Joyce unable to continue following six rounds due to eye swelling.
Zhang inherited the WBO interim title and mandatory challenger status for the full belt held by Usyk but instead it was WBC champion Fury who he wanted after bouncing back from defeat to Filip Hrgovic, 30, in August.
He told SecondsOut: “Tyson Fury in China.
“I feel like people were questioning about my conditioning and stamina after the Hrgovic fight.
“But for me, I have such a successful training camp. My boxing and conditioning trainers stayed on top of it.
“I know that Joe Joyce wanted to take this to deep water and drown me, but I’m here.
“You can drown me if you want, but I’m ready for twelve rounds.”
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
