Frank Warren has returned from talks with HBO and Showtime executives in New York convinced he is “very, very close” to agreeing a deal for Tyson Fury to challenge either Wladimir Klitschko or Deontay Wilder in the UK this summer for a version of the world heavyweight title.
The unbeaten Mancunian has to beat the Germany-based Romanian, Christian Hammer at the O² Arena in London next weekend first and, as the promoter admits, it is a high-risk engagement.
Fury is the mandatory WBO challenger for Klitschko, who airs his fights on HBO and who also defends his WBA, IBF and IBO belts against the undefeated American Bryant Jennings at Madison Square Garden on 25 April.
The Ukrainian, who has ruled the division for eight years, clearly is a bigger prize than Wilder, who fights on Showtime and went the distance for the first time in 33 contests to take Bermane Stiverne’s WBC title in January. But the American is a lucrative second option.
“Ken Hershman [once head of sports at Showtime, but with HBO since 2011] is coming to London for [Saturday’s] fight,” Warren said. “We haven’t signed off on it but they both want the fight and Tyson will choose the one he wants. I want every advantage, and I want that fight in the UK this summer.
“The truth of the matter is Tyson is the hottest young heavyweight contender out there. You’ve got Showtime and HBO saying that’s the fight they want. They know it’s going to be a cracking fight. It’s a mouth-watering fight, against either of them.
“HBO are forcing Klitschko into a fight [against Fury]; he’s going to have to vacate or fight. And the fight against Wilder is a very exciting one that Showtime want. He will fight one of them. That’s 100 per cent what will happen. We’re more or less there.
“He can’t afford to fall over [against Hammer]. It says a lot about Tyson that he will take those risks. It’s been a pleasure dealing with someone like that. He’s like Dereck Chisora; he’ll fight anyone.
“We’re in good shape to announce it within 48 hours [of the Hammer fight, if Fury wins]. It won’t be like hanging around for it like Mayweather and Pacquiao. It will be the biggest fight in Britain this year. Tyson wants to fight the number one, and let’s get it right, Klitschko’s the number one.”
Fury, who has trained and sparred with Klitschko, thinks the Ukrainian is not keen.
“Either one will do, it doesn’t really matter,” he said. “But, you know what, if Jesus Christ told me Klitschko was going to fight me, I wouldn’t believe it. When I looked in his eyes [at a training camp] in Austria he swallowed. I don’t think a pack of wild horses can make Klitschko fight me, never mind the money.
“He was offered a fortune last time, and made a million excuses. It can’t be money, because he’s got more money than sense. I believe he’ll vacate the WBO title and I’ll fight for that or I’ll fight Wilder. He’s got a pair of bollocks. He’ll take it. When it comes down to it, there are not many heavyweights who do want a fight. They all talk a good game.”
Fury has received an extra fillip with the early release from prison of his father, John, who was serving an 11-year sentence for gouging a man’s eye out in a brawl. “My dad’s been away for five years,” Fury said. “It was very good to get him back in the gym. It’s given me a lot of motivation.”
