DEONTAY WILDER is looking to make the next defence of his WBC world heavyweight title against unbeaten Hughie Fury as talks continue to stage a fight in March.
Wilder made the fourth defence of his title against Chris Arreola in July but broke his right hand during the win, an injury which will sideline him until 2017.
Peter Fury, Hughieโs father and trainer, confirmed to Boxing News that the unbeaten Americanโs team have initiated discussions.
โTheyโve been in touch actually, so weโre waiting to see whatโs the best way to try and make the fight happen. Theyโd like to fight Hughie in March,โ he revealed.
โItโs up for negotiation at the moment, itโs early days so letโs see if the fight can be made. Both parties want it, so weโll have to see.
โAs long as we get treated fairly and respectfully in the negotiations then Hughie will fight anybody. He probably wonโt fight before March if it happens, weโve got meetings this week and weโll talk to the team to see whatโs what. Heโs 22 years old, so thereโs time.โ
Fury has not fought since his technical decision win over Fred Kassi in April due to an ongoing battle against various illnesses which have hampered his progression in the division.
After seeing several specialists, Hughie has now made a full recovery and Peter claims he is ready to fight whenever and wherever.
โHis health problems have been sorted out, heโs put a lot of lean muscle on,โ Peter continued. Heโs finally filled out, he looks a lot different, heโs a different young man now. All of his illnesses are gone, heโs training well, heโs constantly in training actually, he hasnโt taken his foot off the gas. He could fight tomorrow.
โHe had a lot of problems in the past, but all thatโs gone so itโs up and up for him. Heโs fully recovered, weโre looking forward to seeing him out.โ
Though Wilder would represent a huge step up in class for Hughie, cousin of former heavyweight king Tyson Fury, his father is assured that the young contender is ready for all the current champions.
Hughie was recently considered as an opponent for IBF champion Anthony Joshua, though terms could not be agreed.
โWilderโs a formidable opponent, heโs a lethal puncher and a worthy WBC world champion,โ Fury mused.
โHughieโs reaching for Mount Everest and thatโs what weโve always done in this team, weโre not interested in taking light measures. No oneโs avoided like some people think. It wouldโve been very nice to get the Anthony Joshua fight but thatโs not happening, but itโll all happen in time to come. No heavyweight is escaping anyone, theyโve all got to clash at some point.โ
This article originally appeared in Boxing News magazine. To subscribe, click here.