Hughie Fury is set to receive a fight against a “high-calibre” heavyweight, which propels him towards a world title shot, says his father and trainer Peter Fury.
The 27-year-old contender produced an impressive stoppage of Christian Hammer last month, following up a dominant points win over Mariusz Wach, and Fury is now set to collide with a dangerous rival.
Peter Fury has narrowed down a shortlist as he seeks to confirm a top-level opponent before the end of the year.
“We’re just sorting out opponents right now, and we’re busy with it,” he told Sky Sports.
“That’s exactly what we’re looking at,” said Peter Fury, when asked about a world-ranked opponent.
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“We’ll definitely get somebody of high calibre.”
Hughie Fury sits at No 4 in the WBA rankings and could take a sizeable step towards challenging Oleksandr Usyk, the WBA, IBF and WBO champion, if he can secure an eliminator fight.
Michael Hunter, who is positioned at No 2, would be open to a potential clash with Fury.
“If the people are interested, then let’s do it,” Hunter told Sky Sports.
“I’m at No 2 right now. I know [Daniel] Dubois is in front of me. If I had to fight Hughie Fury to make something happen, to stir up some stuff, I would easily do so.
“I would definitely step in there with no hesitation if it put me in the right position.”
Martin Bakole accepted an offer to fight Tony Yoka, in a battle between two of the other rivals who are ranked in the WBA top 15.
But the Congolese fighter could turn his attention to a fight against Hughie Fury, says his trainer Billy Nelson.
“I think it would be a very good fight between Hughie and Martin,” Nelson told Sky Sports.
“It’s one that Martin would gladly accept.”
Promoter Ben Shalom has revealed that Hughie Fury could receive a big domestic clash next year against Derek Chisora, who will renew his rivalry with Joseph Parker in a rematch next month.
“He’s got to get past Parker first hasn’t he. Maybe it will [happen], maybe it won’t,” said Peter Fury.
Sky Sports Boxing schedule
November 20 – BOXXER in London
Richard Riakporhe vs Olanrewaju Durodola
Caroline Dubois professional debut
Florian Marku vs Jorick Luisetto
Hosea Burton vs Dan Azeez – British light-heavyweight title
November 20 – Top Rank in Las Vegas
Terence Crawford vs Shawn Porter – WBO welterweight title
December 11 – BOXXER
Savannah Marshall
Claressa Shields
December 11 – Top Rank in New York
Vasiliy Lomachenko vs Richard Commey
Jared Anderson vs Oleksandr Teslenko
Nico Ali Walsh
Xander Zayas
December 17 – Top Rank in Montreal
Artur Beterbiev vs Marcus Browne – IBF and WBC light-heavyweight titles
February 26 – Top Rank in Glasgow
Josh Taylor vs Jack Catterall – undisputed super-lightweight title