By Terence Dooley
 
Mick Hennessy has lined up a stiff test for Hughie Fury’s next fight after confirming that the undefeated heavyweight will take on Andriy Rudenko.  

Hennessy Sports tweeted the news earlier today, as well as revealing that the fight will take place on the undercard of Gennady Golovkin’s WBA, interim WBC and IBO middleweight title defence against St. Helens’s Martin Murray, which takes place in Monaco on Febraury 21st.  Both bouts will be shown live on Channel 5 here in the U.K.
 
Fury, 20, has raced to 14-0 (8) as a pro since turning over in 2013, but has been on the side-lines since May due to illness.  The 6' 6'' boxer is trained by Peter Fury, his father, and works alongside Tyson Fury, who posted a 10-round corner retirement win over Dereck Chisora last month to pick up the British and European heavyweight titles, securing a mandatory crack against consensus kingpin Wladimir Klitschko in the process.  The Furys rate Hughie highly—the meeting with Rudenko is a clear sign of their confidence.
 
Rudenko went on a 24-fight unbeaten run (16 KOs) before losing his '0' to Lucas “Big Daddy” Brown in August.  The 31-year-old Ukrainian went the distance that night, taking some big bombs en route to the final bell.  He is still ambitious and should test Fury’s mettle come fight night.

"This is a big step-up in class for Hughie and we are delighted to be able to secure such a quality fight for the masses watching on Channel 5," said promoter Mick Hennessy.
 
"We strongly believe Hughie is one of the world's best heavyweight prospects and he will prove this in 2015, starting with a statement win against Rudenko in Monte Carlo.
 
"After that, we will gradually increase the level of competition and be on the hunt for major titles. Give it a year or two and Hughie will be joining Tyson Fury in taking over the world heavyweight division."
 
Peter Fury, Hughie's trainer and father, added: "This fight is by no means a certainty. Hughie needs the respect of everyone for taking such a fight after coming off a long illness.
 
"Unlike many other heavyweights, Hughie will learn his trade properly by taking genuine fights from now on, and we look forward to seeing how he deals with a high-level opponent on February 21st. Hughie relishes the challenge."
 
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