Warren wants Fury world title fight next

Veteran promoter Frank Warren wants young heavyweight Hughie Fury to fight for a wold title in his next contest.

Warren, who recently agreed a landscape opening deal with BT, is targetting new WBO champion Joseph Parker and wants the fight to take place in the UK.

Parker [22(18)-0], an idol in his native New Zealand, defeated Andy Ruiz in Auckland last weekend to claim the belt vacated by Fury’s cousin Tyson, and has since agreed a deal with Top Rank.

Fury [20(10)-0] is currently the mandatory challenger with the WBO – and had indeed agreed to face Ruiz this month but saw the fight fall through. The 22 year old has not fought since April, and a career-best win over Fred Kassi, as he sought to fully recover from Acne Conglobata.

A fight with the Antipodean is one that both Fury and Warren crave, and the promoter wrote in his weekly column that “Parker must now defend against our own Hughie Fury, who officially holds mandatory status for a challenge for the WBO heavyweight title. I know Hughie was watching events in Auckland closely and wants the fight. He is right up for it so we will do our best and get it done for him.”

“He is a superbly talented individual who is so well drilled and schooled by his father Peter. All the tough and tricky learning fights he has been put through from such an early age will really serve him well now.”

Warren stressed that the UK is the preferred location for the bout as it would help increase Parker’s profile – although the recent link up with Las Vegas-based Top Rank may see this change.

“We will enter into negotiations with the objective of bringing the fight over here. The worst case scenario is that it goes to purse bids and if it does, so be it.”

“Bringing the fight to the UK market makes sense for both parties and it would be the perfect opportunity for Hughie to really put his stamp on the division and show the public what he is all about.”