By Edward Chaykovsky
Mick Hennessy, who co-promotes EBU/British heavyweight champion Tyson Fury, expects his fighter to faces IBO/WBO/WBA/IBF champion Wladimir Klitschko next. Klitschko will first defend his title on April 25 against undefeated Bryant Jennings in New York City and Fury will take on Chrstian Hammer at the O2 Arena on February 28.
Fury is the WBO's mandatory challenger to the title. There have already been discussions held between the two sides and Klitschko has been receptive to the idea of facing Fury in the UK.
"I believe the fight against Wladimir will happen this year," Hennessy told scribe Nick Parkinson. "Tyson wants it in a big way and Wladimir's team like the idea of the fight because it's the biggest one out there for them. It will happen where ever it commercially makes sense and that could mean over here. Team Klitschko are open to coming to the UK if the economics are right."
"Tyson is in the WBO mandatory position for Wladimir, so after Klitschko's next fight we will be doing some serious negotiations, otherwise it will end up going to purse bids."
But Hennessy has serious doubts that newly crowned WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder will be looking to face Fury or Klitschko in the near future. He expects Wilder's team to match him against a showcase opponent in his first defense.
"There's always going to be big talk straight after a good win like Deontay Wilder's last month and names get thrown about," Hennessy said. "He mentioned Tyson and Wladimir but my understanding is that Deontay Wilder will be looking for a sensible defense first time around, rather than a major fight against Tyson or Wladimir."