WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman has confirmed that the WBC will not select a new mandatory challenger for its heavyweight world champion Tyson Fury as the “Gypsy King” continues his search for an opponent to mark his return to the ring. Fury has not boxed since his knockout victory in December last year against Derek Chisora at New Light Heart Lane stadium in London.
Fury has seen protracted negotiations with unified Oleksandr Usyk fail to secure a fight which was lightly slated for April at Wembley Stadium, London; however talks collapsed after disagreeing on potential rematch percentage splits after a period of public negotiations.
Earlier this month, Fury sent a provisional to former two-time unified world champion and British Rival Anthony Joshua for a proposed bout in August at Wembley Stadium. However, Joshua and Matchroom Boxing refused the offer fairly swiftly and stated that they intended to face Deontay Wilder in December.
Sulaiman, when speaking to Sky Sports, confirmed that the WBC would not set a mandatory defence for Fury at this time. The organisation will maintain its agreed resolution at its convention last year that a final eliminator between its former heavyweight world champion Deontay Wilder and former unified world heavyweight champion Andy Ruiz.
“Usyk, (Anthony) Joshua and even (Andy) Ruiz didn’t materialise. Fury wishes to have the best fight possible.
“The WBC has the Wilder vs Ruiz final elimination still in the administrative process,” he continued. “Such process is not finished. The WBC is not considering any alternative.”
Sulaiman also confirmed that he had an informal meeting with Frank Warren, who co-promotes Fury and seemingly had sympathy for Fury & Warren for their attempts to make fights possible for the WBC heavyweight champion.
“My meeting with Frank Warren was an informal one but [one] in which we discussed the heavyweight division and how unfortunate it has been that Tyson Fury has been left aside without the fights they have tried to make.”
