Tyson Fury is set to return to action in July.
Boxing fans online have reacted after promoter Bob Arum revealed the ‘frontrunner’ to face Tyson Fury next.
Fury is looking for his next assignment, having failed to agree terms to face WBA (super), IBF and WBO world champion Oleksandr Usyk.
The self-proclaimed ‘Gypsy King’ hasn’t fought since his TKO victory over Derek Chisora last December.
Andy Ruiz Jr, who famously stunned Anthony Joshua to become world champion, had been mooted to face Fury.
But it appears Zhilei Zhang is now the ‘frontrunner’ to take on the undefeated British fighter.
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Zhilei Zhang celebrates after beating Joe Joye. Image: Alamy
That’s according to Fury’s American promoter Arum, who claims they are trying to finalise the deal this weekend for the championship bout to take place in July.
Fight fans on social media are split over a potential bout between Fury and Zhang.
One Twitter user wrote: “Obviously I think Fury wins but this is a decent fight that I’d like to see but I don’t think it’s the best preparation for Usyk.”
A second tweeted: “Zhang got no chance against fury, Ruiz would have been a better fight.”
A third claimed: “Embarrassing. Ducking Usyk and Saudi deal.”
A fourth said: “Is that a joke?”
A fifth commented: “Wow!! Another fight no one wants to see!!”
Another argued: “This would be a great fight actually.”
Zhang, who has just one loss on his professional record, returned to the win column following his defeat to Filip Hrgovic by stopping Joe Joyce.
He handed the Brit the first defeat of his professional career last month.
The Chinese fighter punished Joyce before securing the victory in the sixth round.
The 39-year-old captured the WBO interim world heavyweight title as a result of his big win and appears set to fight for Fury’s WBC belt next.
Fury vs. Zhang – what’s your take? Let us know.
