Hughie Fury will face fellow heavyweight contender, Michael Hunter at the AO Arena in Manchester on July 2, live on Sky Sports.
Fury and Hunter clash in a WBA ‘regular’ heavyweight title final eliminator, with the victor moving on to a shot at the winner of the July 11 clash between WBA champion, Trevor Bryan and Daniel Dubois.
Fury is on a three-fight unbeaten run since defeat to common opponent Alexander Povektin in August 2019, retiring Christian Hammer after five rounds in his most recent fight in October.
The 27-year-old cousin of WBC heavyweight world champion, Tyson Fury feels his American rival is an avoided man and a win will prove he belongs with the elite in the division.
“I take the fights everyone avoids,” Fury said.
“Michael Hunter has fought the best and is up there with the best. These are the fights I want to show who is the best fighter out there.
“I’m looking forward to this challenge. I believe I’m one of the best fighters in the world and this is another big fight to prove I stand with the top three in the world heavyweight division.”
Former cruiserweight title challenger, Hunter has a sole defeat on his 23-fight record to Oleksandr Usyk in 2017 and is coming off a split decision draw to Jerry Forrest in December.
The 33-year-old ‘Bounty’ also has a controversial December 2019 draw to Povetkin on his slate, in what many believed he did enough to win, with his standout win arguably a 10th round stoppage over Martin Bakole in October 2018.
“We’re excited to return to Manchester and the iconic AO Arena Manchester for a fight which has everything on the line,” BOXXER CEO Ben Shalom said.
“Hughie Fury has patiently built his way back to world title contention and has overcome big challenges along the way.
“This is another big test against one of the most avoided fighters in the division.
“Hughie is only just about to come into his prime and so if he can get past Michael then he puts himself unquestionably in the mix for world titles in the coming months and years.
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“Michael will also believe this is the chance he is waiting for, and with such a big opportunity on the line for the winner, both fighters will be giving everything.”
Adam Smith, Sky Sports Head of Boxing Development Adam Smith, said, “What a fabulous match up in the blue ribbon division as Hughie Fury has a serious heavyweight test against the excellent Michael Hunter – whose talent we know well on Sky!=
#HUNTINGSZN https://t.co/bUqUc4Mkim
— Michael Hunter ll (@MichaelHunterII) May 30, 2022
“Can Hughie now emerge from the shadows to produce a career-best performance or will the classy and avoided American gatecrash the world scene?”
To register for tickets go to Boxxer.com
Ricky Hatton’s exhibition with Marco Antonio Barrera will follow the main event at the AO Arena, according to Sky Sports.
