Exclusive: Hughie Fury Challenges Heavyweights to Stop Avoiding Him and Face the Fight

Hughie Fury insists the rest of the heavyweight division won’t be able to avoid him much longer after claiming he would have beaten Joseph Parker had the former world champion accepted his invitation to fight last month.

Parker had been scheduled to face IBF king Daniel Dubois on the undercard of Dmitry Bivol’s victory over Artur Bernetiev in the Saudi Arabian capital, before the Londoner withdrew due to illness.

With the show’s organisers still scrambling around for a replacement, Fury offered to step into the breach after previously challenging the New Zealander for his WBO crown eight years ago. 

But Parker ended-up facing Martin Bakole instead, with the Congolese giant being stopped inside two rounds after making a last minute dash from Africa to the Middle East.

Fury: "I Would've Beaten Parker"

Speaking exclusively to SportsBoom.com, Fury said: “One hundred percent, if I’d have gone in there (against Parker) I would have beaten him. There’s not a doubt in my mind about that."

“I’ve come to accept people trying to overlook me. But that’s the aim this year - to prove that I’m the best and to get these fights. I’m going to have to force it.”

Bakole had been overseeing a building project in Kinshasa when he was summoned to face Parker at The Venue arena. 

He arrived out of shape and completely unprepared, being forced to wear Dubois’ gloves having accepted the assignment at around 48 hours notice.

Fury, who had taken to social media to offer his services before Bakole received the call, added: “I’m definitely being avoided, 100 percent. But the more I’m out there, the harder I’m going to be for these guys to avoid. They won’t be able to ignore me."

“If I’m busy, then they won’t be able to do that any longer. I’m prepared to face whoever to reach the top."

“This is the year I need to prove myself. So I want to have these fights. I want to challenge myself and show I’m the best out there.”

Fury Determined to Prove Himself After Health Struggles

Born in Stockport, Greater Manchester and the cousin of boxing legend Tyson, Fury had only just turned 23 when he faced Parker at the AO Arena in September 2017. 

Despite the gulf in experience, one judge scored the contest a draw with the other two awarding it to Parker, who would subsequently be dethroned by Anthony Joshua.

Now older and much more knowledgeable, Fury is determined to regain his place among the sport’s elite after recovering from a debilitating health problem which threatened to stall his career. 

Trained by his father Peter, he returned to the ring following a three year hiatus 11 months ago and has now entered into a promotional agreement with GBM Sports after winning both of his contests since that victory over Kostiantyn Dovbyshchenko at Rotherham's Magna Centre.

His last outing came in September, when he coasted past Christian Thun on points.

Previously the British and world youth champion, Fury (29-3) believes the arrangement with Izzy Asif’s upwardly mobile stable will help propel him back into contention for a shot at one of the weight’s four major belts. 

"Activity Is Key" – Fury Targets Top 10 Opponent

With Oleksandr Usyk, who holds the WBC, WBA and WBO belts expected to retire after two more bouts and Dubois angling for a rematch against the Ukrainian having lost to him in controversial circumstances nearly a year-and-a-half ago, Fury’s return to fitness could not have come at a more opportune moment - particularly if the belts splinter over the coming 18 months.

“Activity is key for me now,” Fury said. 

“Izzy has promised me that, he’s promised me some big fights so let’s get them on."

“There’s no particular route I want to take. But, by the end of the year, I want to have been in there against a top 10 fighter and, like I say, the more I’m out there the less people will be able to avoid me."

"I just want to face and beat whoever I need to face and beat to get to where I believe I can be.”

“I’ve had my battles outside of the ring,” Fury added. 

“Boxing is the easy part. It’s the easy bit but I’ve got my health now and your health is your wealth."

“You could get a phone call tomorrow to face someone that could change everything."

"I’m always ready and that’s why. By the end of this year, hopefully I’ll be in a really good position.”