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Tyson Fury will defend his world heavyweight title against his fellow Briton Dillian Whyte after Fury’s UK-based promoter, Frank Warren, won a purse bid to stage the WBC heavyweight clash.
“Queensberry and Top Rank are delighted to announce that WBC and lineal world heavyweight champion Tyson Fury will defend his titles against Dillian Whyte following today’s purse bids,” Warren tweeted on Friday. “A venue and date for the fight will be announced in due course.”
Fury greeted the news by posting a video montage, with its footage including the lyrics: “I’m coming home baby now … I’m sorry now I ever went away.” In a follow-up video tweet, he said: “Very happy, guys. GK [Gypsy King] is coming home,” indicating that the fight will be held in the UK.
“Cannot wait. Me and Dillian are gonna put it on the line,” the 33-year old added. Confirmation of the fight puts an end to speculation that Fury would instead take on Oleksandr Usyk, holder of the WBA, WBO, IBF and IBO belts, in a unification bout. Anthony Joshua is entitled to a rematch with the Ukrainian following his defeat to him last year.
Earlier this week, Joshua hit back at reports that he had signed a £15m deal to step aside from that rematch, allowing Fury to fight Usyk instead of Whyte, who is the WBC’s mandatory challenger. “I ain’t signed no contract; I ain’t seen no contract … stop listening to the bullshit,” Joshua said on Monday.
According to the BBC, Warren bid £31m while Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom team offered £24m – giving Fury’s team control of the fight. No date has been confirmed, but the fight must take by 29 April this year. Wembley, Manchester Arena and Cardiff’s Principality Stadium are among the potential venues.
Fury has not fought in the UK since beating Francesco Pianeta in Belfast back in August 2018. The 33-year-old’s last five fights have been held in the United States, including his trilogy with Deontay Wilder – the last of which, in October 2021, saw him retain his world title in Las Vegas.
Unbeaten Fury had recently hit out at both Whyte and Anthony Joshua as he waited for confirmation of his next opponent. A video posted on Warren’s Twitter account on Thursday showed Fury calling out Whyte, following suggestions the mandatory challenger had been in a dispute with the WBC over pay.
“I can’t wait to punch Dillian Whyte’s face right in mate,” said Fury. “I’m going to give him the best hiding he’s ever had in his life, boy. Dillian Whyte, train hard sucker ’cos you’re getting annihilated, bum.”
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