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Home » World Exclusive: WBC clarify Tyson Fury mandatory future

World Exclusive: WBC clarify Tyson Fury mandatory future

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  • 3 min read

WBN can clarify a world exclusive on the final World Boxing Council updated mandatory status of current heavyweight champion Tyson Fury.

After some discussion, WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman formally clarified whether Fury could face his rival, Anthony Joshua.

It’s not the news the undisputed proposal had hoped for.

Reports had filled several media column inches on whether Fury would be elevated to ‘Franchise champion’ to accommodate Interim champion, Dillian Whyte.

This has now been simplified as Sulaiman informed WBN that Whyte would face the winner of a Fury vs Deontay Wilder trilogy.

Tyson Fury status

Regarding the question about the WBC and the franchise designation in the heavyweight division, Sulaiman exclusively replied to World Boxing News: “I have seen in several media reports.

“There are speculation comments from boxing promoters and media members about the World Boxing Council’s intentions to designate the status of Franchise Champion to WBC World Heavyweight Champion Tyson Fury.

“We can clarify to WBN that there’s certainly been zero communication with any party with this request. I have only seen it in the media.

“The World Boxing Council greatly respects our current world champion, Tyson Fury. We recognize his impressive victory in capturing the title this past February. He is a role model and a champion.

“The WBC also recently awarded him with the ‘Heroes for Humanity Award’ for his and his wife Paris’s work to motivate the world during these difficult times.

“But the WBC has administered the heavyweight division. This has presented unique circumstances and complications in recent years.

“Even our annual convention ruled and ordered on each division. Therefore, it is clear that the rules have to be followed.

“The WBC has consistently confirmed that a mandatory bout between the WBC world heavyweight champion must occur with the mandatory challenger and Interim champion Dillian Whyte. This must take place after Fury vs Wilder III.

“In addition, under those circumstances, and with an order in place, the WBC would not consider a request to elevate anyone in the heavyweight division to Franchise Champion before that division’s mandatory obligations are fulfilled.”

Deontay Wilder

Sulaiman’s promise seemingly end any hopes Fury has of keeping his title. That’s without tackling Wilder and Whyte before Joshua.

Fury and Joshua both now have two obligations. Furthermore, two different obstacles are currently in the way of a possible 2021 undisputed unification.

Wilder and Whyte are in Fury’s future. At the same time, Joshua has to contend with Kubrat Pulev and Oleksandr Usyk.

Any 2021 plans could be pushed back further as a result.

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