World heavyweight champion Tyson Fury is eyeing a title bout in Australia, with Brisbane the front-runner to host the biggest fight in Australian boxing history.
Current WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury has taken exception to Joe Rogan saying UFC great Jon Jones could beat him in a fight which prompted a reply from Jones asking to arrange something in the octagon.
The ‘Gypsy King’ arrived in Australia on Sunday to support good friend Joseph Parker in his bout against Queensland’s Faiga ‘Django’ Opelu in Melbourne on Wednesday.
But The Courier-Mail can reveal Englishman Fury will also use the trip as a reconnaissance mission to tour venues for a boxing blockbuster as early as August this year.
Victoria’s Marvel Stadium shapes as the main danger to Brisbane in securing the possible fight, having recently hosted the successful world title stoush between Aussie George Kambosos and US star Devin Haney last year.
Joseph Parker with close friend and training partner Tyson Fury.
“We have already had discussions that after the fight we are going to look at venues and meet people to try and make this happen,’’ Parker said.
“He is here to support my fight and support the event but he is also looking at the possibility of fighting here.
“He would love to fight here. As a world champion he would love to travel around the world and fight. We are planning to go to Brisbane after the fight.
Boxing: Tyson Fury is set to visit Australia to help former heavyweight champion Joseph Parker prepare for his next bout but despite their friendship the Kiwi heavyweight is still keen to fight the Gypsy King.
“Obviously we are focused on my fight but it will be good to travel to Brisbane after the fight to look at venues and so he can meet his supporters.
“He has never been on this side of the world and he is excited to be here.”
Heavyweight title holder Britain’s Tyson Fury. Picture: JUSTIN TALLIS / AFP
At this stage there is no opponent locked in but there’s every chance the WBC world champion would consider giving an Australian heavyweight the opportunity of a lifetime.
“He doesn’t care who he fights. He will fight anyone,’’ Parker said.
“It would be nice if he could fight an Australian to make it bigger here in Australia.”
New Zealand heavyweight Parker said he was primed for his clash with Opelu at Margaret Court Arena as he plots his own climb back to world title contention.
“I have had a fantastic camp. I am looking forward to putting on a good display and I am going to go out there and enjoy myself,’’ Parker said.
Suncorp Stadium has a proven track record as a big fight venue, having been the scene of Jeff Horn’s iconic victory over Manny Pacquiao for the WBO welterweight championship in 2017.