Tyson “The Gypsy King” Fury stands as one of the most renowned professional boxers in the present era. As a two-time and reigning World Heavyweight Champion, often referred to as The Gypsy King, he has accomplished the remarkable feat of holding all five major titles in the division: WBA, IBF, WBO, WBC, and IBO, albeit in separate reigns. In addition to these accomplishments, Fury has also secured The Ring Magazine title, further solidifying his stature in the sport.
Renowned for his agile footwork and formidable jabs, Fury has proven to be a formidable opponent for every fighter he has encountered thus far. As one of the most prominent heavyweight stars of the present time, there is always a sense of anticipation surrounding Fury's next fight and the identity of his opponent. Speculation is rife about a potential clash for the Undisputed Heavyweight title in his future.
At the moment, Zhilei Zhang is considered the leading candidate to face the Gypsy King in his next fight. Initially, Fury's promoters were exploring the possibility of pitting him against Joe Joyce or Andy Ruiz Jr. However, Joyce's chances were diminished after he was knocked out by Zhang in April, which significantly boosted Zhang's reputation. On the other hand, Ruiz encountered legal issues that rendered him unsuitable for headlining a pay-per-view event. As a result, Zhang has emerged as a strong contender for the coveted opportunity to challenge Fury.
Throughout the early part of 2023, there were ongoing discussions about a potential fight between Fury and Oleksandr Usyk for the undisputed heavyweight title. However, these negotiations hit a roadblock due to disagreements concerning the distribution of the fight purse and the inclusion of a rematch clause. Initially, Usyk's camp agreed to a 70-30 purse split in Fury's favor for their initial bout. However, complications arose when Fury insisted on a 50-50 split in the event of a rematch, even if he were to lose the first fight. As a result, Usyk's team withdrew from the negotiations, leading to a temporary halt in the talks between the two parties.
The Usyk versus Fury match can still be scheduled, but it would have to be exclusively in Saudi Arabia. The Saudi General Sports Authority is organizing a colossal heavyweight spectacle potentially featuring Fury versus Usyk as the main event and Anthony Joshua versus Deontay Wilder as the supporting bout, with all four fighters being offered extraordinary financial compensation.
“I really think any of the money that anybody’s talking about for that fight pales in comparison to what they could make in the middle east,” Bob Arum, Fury’s promoter, told ProBox TV. “They’re waiting now, both fighters, for the end of the year, to fight each other in the middle east, because that’s where the big money is.”
Nonetheless, the four fighters are anticipated to engage in other bouts in the interim. In the case of Fury's team, arranging a fight against Zhang would be relatively more straightforward compared to Usyk, given their prior experience working together for Fury's match against Joyce. Zhang, a Chinese Heavyweight boasting a 25-1-1 record, suffered his only defeat last year against Filip Hrgović, a decision that many felt he deserved to win. Zhang stands as one of those fighters who possesses not only superior size and strength compared to Fury, but also a comparable level of skill.
The Gypsy King's upcoming fight is anticipated to occur in late July 2023, although there is a possibility that it might be rescheduled to early August, taking into account the scheduling of other significant fights during the summer. While the specific location has not been disclosed yet, it is likely that Fury will secure a venue such as Wembley Stadium or another prominent stadium in the United Kingdom, known for hosting major boxing events.
Fury maintains an unblemished record in his professional boxing career, standing at 33 wins, 0 losses, and 1 draw. Out of his 34 total bouts thus far, Fury has emerged victorious in all but one contest, which ended in a draw against Deontay Wilder on December 1, 2018. Notably, Fury has triumphed over Wilder in their subsequent two encounters, allowing him to secure and successfully defend the WBC World Heavyweight Title. Additionally, in 2022, Fury achieved knockout victories over Dillian Whyte and Derek Chisora, further solidifying his position as a dominant force in the heavyweight division.
