Bob Arum: Andy Ruiz, Robert Helenius Are Possible Next Opponents For Tyson Fury
Bob Arum revealed two new potential opponents for Tyson Fury.
With Oleksandr Usyk expected to face Anthony Joshua in a rematch, it appeared as if WBC heavyweight champion Fury would face his mandatory in Dillian Whyte.
However, negotiations are stalling with Whyte’s side demanding too much according to Fury’s promoter Arum (via Michael Benson).
“We’ve offered him a deal of 25%, with a guarantee,” Arum said. “But he says he wants over $10million… We want the guarantee of $5/5½million against the percentage and they said, ‘You’ve got to start with $10million.'”
Bob Arum Reveals Alternatives
With that said, Arum’s side is looking at new opponents for Fury in the meantime.
Two possibilities include former heavyweight champion Andy Ruiz Jr. and Robert Helenius. Fury could then potentially pursue the winner of the Usyk vs. Joshua rematch rather than defend his WBC crown against Whyte.
“Bob Arum has declared that two possibilities for Tyson Fury’s next fight are Andy Ruiz Jr in Vegas and Robert Helenius in Manchester. He added that Fury may pursue the Oleksandr Usyk vs Anthony Joshua rematch winner after this, rather than defend against Dillian Whyte.”
All in all, this is not the best news as neither Ruiz nor Helenius are particularly intriguing fights for Fury at this stage.
But given his overall inactivity since the start of last year, “The Gypsy King” may have no choice.
