LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – FEBRUARY 22: Tyson Fury celebrates his win by TKO in the seventh round against … [+]
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Tyson Fury is the new WBC Heavyweight Champion and he remains the lineal titleholder after scoring a seventh-round TKO victory over Deontay Wilder on Saturday night in Las Vegas.
Fury’s dominant performance appears to have placed a significant space between him and his rival. After registering such a big win, the obvious question is what’s next for Fury?
During the post-fight press conference, Fury touched on the subject, but wasn’t too specific.
It appears he has three options.
If Wilder exercises his right to a third fight, Fury will receive a higher percentage of the PPV split, per their agreement ahead of Saturday’s rematch.
However, because of how one-sided the rematch was in Fury’s favor, and without knowing the extent of Wilder’s injuries to his ear and jaw, it’s difficult to predict a third fight happening anytime soon.
If there is an extended layoff for Wilder, it’s unlikely Fury will wait around for him.
What seems more likely and interesting is the chances of a unification bout between Fury and the winner of the Anthony Joshua-Kubrat Pulev fight that is expected to happen this summer.
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – FEBRUARY 22: Tyson Fury celebrates his win by TKO in the seventh round against … [+]
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Most are hoping Joshua wins to set up what might be the biggest heavyweight fight in UK history. Fury and Joshua could sell out any stadium in their country and that fight would make both men a lot of money.
If Fury does neither of those two things, there is a chance he could simply defend the WBC title against another heavyweight. With fighters like Dillian Whyte and Jarrell Miller as possibilities, Fury might have options.
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – FEBRUARY 22: Tyson Fury celebrates his win by TKO in the seventh round against … [+]
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Whyte is expected to defend his WBC interim title in May against Alexander Povetkin. Because Fury and Whyte now hold titles from the same governing body, it would make sense for them to fight.
The top-rated WBC contender is Oleksandr Usyk.
A Fury-Usyk clash would also do well in the UK. Usyk is one of the best up-and-coming heavyweights. Matching him against Fury would make sense, and that might be the most respectable opponent for the new champion if he doesn’t fight Wilder for the third time or the winner of Joshua-Pulev.