While it won't be the undisputed world heavyweight clash against Oleksandr Usyk, Tyson Fury says he will be fighting in Australia sooner rather than later.
Negotiations have stalled between WBC champion Fury and Ukrainian Usyk, who holds the WBA, IBF and WBO belts, with the Brit recently ruling out a showdown in Saudi Arabia.
Money means Australia isn't an option for such a massive fight, but the Gyspy King is promising he will fight down under.
The 34-year-old is in Melbourne this week to cheer on his great mate and long-time sparring partner, Kiwi Joseph Parker, who takes on Queensland's Faiga Opelu at Margaret Court Arena on Wednesday night.
Nikita Tsyzu will square off against young Victorian Benjamin Bommber in the other headline fight.
While here Fury will also check out various venues to fulfill a long-time ambition to fight in Australia.
The undisputed title fight between Australian George Kambosos Jnr and Devin Haney attracted more than 40,000 to Marvel Stadium last year but Fury said that fight didn't inspire his ambition to fight in this country.
He said he and American Hall of Fame trainer, the late Emanuel Steward, cooked up the plan long ago.
"I'm going to say no because this has all come around a long time ago. I spoke about this with the late great Emmanuel Steward, about getting on the road, travelling to different continents and fighting all over the world and the first one will be here in Australia," Fury told AAP.
"We're looking at different locations around the country and hopefully we'll select a venue and opponent and might be coming to Australia sooner than you think.
"It won't be for the undisputed (against Usyk), that's only a UK fight so who knows what the opponent will be."
The fight between former world champion Parker, whose record is 31-3, and Opelu (15-3-2 draws) lost a bit of lustre with the Commonwealth heavyweight belt taken off the table on Monday.
Opelu's team signed off on 10 rounds and wanted more money for a 12-round fight for the title, which was previously held by the likes of Fury, Lennox Lewis and Anthony Joshua.
"A lot of great names have fought for the title including Tyson himself back in the day," 31-year-old Parker said.
"I thought it was all on ... I just found out about this morning and it sucks to be honest but a fight's a fight and I'm happy to have one."
Parker, who held the WBO title back in 2016, said he was pumped to have Fury ringside.
"It's given everyone a boost - everyone who's going to be at the fight is excited to see the fight and also Tyson himself."
