Tyson Fury is the new Man, the freshly minted Heavyweight Champion of the World after taking home a clear decision over Wladimir Klitschko on Saturday. So, what’s next?
Fight fans can likely expect some chaos one way or the other. Regardless of your thoughts on Klitschko and his legacy or historical standing, the guy was a steady force at the top for a decade. Now though, when you look at the top 10 in the heavyweight division, it seems as if almost anything could happen.
There’s a world of possibility out there right now, and here are a few of the potential paths Fury could take.
Fury vs. Klitschko II
Will there be a Fury vs. Klitschko rematch? This is all about what Klitschko decides to do at this point. With a fortune in the bank, plenty of personal distractions and endless other professional possibilities, along with a storied resume already in the books, there’s certainly nothing forcing Klitschko to continue.
He’s about to turn 40 soon, and perhaps he has lost some of the fire. Or, suffering his first setback after 22 straight wins and 18 straight title defenses could compel him to get right back on the wagon and regain his crown before hanging up the gloves on a winning note.
The competitive instincts of almost every great champion all but ensures he will try to reclaim his position and go out on his own terms, particularly in a case like this, where there was no violent, concussive passing of the torch. Yet, the Klitschko brothers clearly defy most expectations and stereotypes, so it’s hard to get a reading on Wlad’s intentions at this stage.
Tyson Fury vs. Deontay Wilder
There has already been talk of a Fury vs. Wilder showdown for quite some time. The two big boys with big personalities both talk a big game, and they clearly have a mutual disdain for each other as a result. Wilder was waiting for his chance against Klitschko, but now Fury is the new target.
Meanwhile, promoters and television networks on both sides of the pond are likely licking their chops at the prospects of this one. Two brash, unbeaten heavyweights colliding for undisputed status sells itself. That said, the powers that be would probably want to build this one up for awhile as opposed to putting them into the ring together immediately.
Fury Bides His Time in the UK
The third option for Fury is to hang out back in the UK for a bit, and string together a few gimme type title defenses. It’s too soon for what would be a massive UK fight against Anthony Joshua, but there are plenty of other options, namely in the homecoming title defense against a moderate European heavyweight contender category.
Fury and his team may opt to let the field play out a bit — see what’s happening with Wilder, what Klitschko decides to do, who wins showdowns such as Bryant Jennings vs. Luis Ortiz and so forth — while cashing some paychecks and letting things marinate for awhile.
There are old rivalries with David Haye and Dereck Chisora, and plenty of Continental stiffs ripe for the picking. I’m not saying these sound like fun choices, but they’re going to be on the table. Unfortunately for fight fans, unless Klitschko enforces an immediate rematch clause, this is the most likely scenario.
