Tyson Fury‘s entourage are reportedly in talks with four fighters in an attempt to organise a bout for March 2022. Frustratingly for mandatory challenger Dillian Whyte, promoter Frank Warren confirmed that his name is not on the list as his arbitration with the WBC drags on.
Having been out of the ring for almost 20 months, Fury returned to action in October to knock out Deontay Wilder.
With their exciting trilogy of fights completed and the Brit coming through with his undefeated record intact, attention soon turned to who ‘The Gypsy King’ would fight next.
A blockbuster fight with Anthony Joshua had been earmarked, but his loss to Oleksandr Usyk sent prospects of an all-British showdown tumbling down the priority list.
In December, Whyte was named as the mandatory challenger to Fury’s WBC heavyweight belt, although he is currently locked in arbitration with the organisation over the mandated purse split for the world title bout.
Frank Warren confirmed to iFL TV that the two camps are ‘miles apart’ in terms of demands, with Whyte holding out for a 45 per cent share.
“He [Fury] can’t be inactive because of the problems caused by this arbitration between the WBC and Whyte,” explained Warren.
“We have got to sort out an opponent first before we can move further forward.
“I’m not going to go into that because we have got to get things done first.
“But we are working quite hard on it and there are about four in the frame and we will make a decision on that, subject to their availability too.”
Warren’s admission will be hugely frustrating for Whyte, who has never fought for a full-blooded world heavyweight title despite amassing an enviable 30-bout resume.
In seeking to stay active, it is reportedly likely that Fury’s belt will not be on the line if a fight is arranged for March.
While the four names in question were not specified by Warren, Fury has previously spoken of a four-man hitlist before he announces his second retirement from the sport.
Unfortunately, of the four names mentioned, most are currently unavailable.
Wilder was taken care of in their scheduled October trilogy fight, Joshua remains tied up in a likely rematch with Usyk and Whyte is locked into WBC complications.
The last remaining name, however, is Derek Chisora, who recently put on a spirited display during a 12-round slug-fest with Joseph Parker.
Chisora and Fury already faced off back in 2014, and it remains to be seen whether ‘Del Boy’ would be available to step in for another bumper payday.