Heavyweight boxing superstar Tyson Fury could be headed Down Under in May as close friend Joseph Parker looks to claim a strap once held by the Gypsy King.
Among the biggest fight stars to emerge from either Australia or New Zealand in recent years, Parker is set to headline a massive Melbourne fight card on May 24 that also boasts Nikita Tszyu and the professional heavyweight debut of AFL great Cameron Mooney.
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The former WBO champ, and long-time training partner of Fury, is also a chance of having the reigning WBC king ringside as he faces Queenslander Faiga ‘Django’ Opelu for the Commonwealth heavyweight title – a strap previously held by the likes of Lennox Lewis, Anthony Joshua, Tommy Burns and Fury himself.
Fox Sports Australia understands promoters No Limit have been in talks with Team Fury about flying him out for the huge event, which doubles as the first Melbourne card in 20 years that has featured the Tszyu name as a headliner.
Undefeated in all five professional fights, 25-year-old Nikita Tszyu will attempt to continue his undefeated rise through the super welterweight ranks in a co-main event against fellow Aussie young gun Benjamin Bommber (5-0).
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Elsewhere on the undercard, three-time AFL premiership hero Mooney will be the latest former footballer to join the crossover boxing ranks when he takes on retired Essendon favourite Tom Bellchambers.
That bout will be the professional debut for both men.
Parker, meanwhile, is looking to win his way back into title contention after also beating Englishman Jack Massey back in January.
Asked about making his Australian debut, and for Fury’s old strap, Parker said: “The Commonwealth heavyweight title has been held by some of the biggest names in the sport.
“And I’m looking forward to adding my name to that list.
“He [Opelu] is a great fighter and deserves his shot, but there are levels to this game and I plan to show that.
“I’m not taking this lightly and I look forward to putting on a great performance for the fight fans.”
A former Australian heavyweight champion, Opelu (15-3-2) has earned his way into the Parker fight after upsetting the previously undefeated Hemi Ahio (20-1) in October.
No Limit CEO George Rose added: “Joseph Parker is one of the greatest athletes to have ever come from this side of the globe.
“And his historic performances over many years are exactly why boxing is back in a big way in Australia and New Zealand.
“But he’s now in for a tough test in what is the most meaningful heavyweight fight on Australian shores in more than a century.
“Django is one of the heaviest hitters Australia has ever produced and is very much here to spoil the party.”
In the co-main, Tszyu will face unquestionably the toughest test of his career against Bommber – who has been preparing for this bout in Floyd Mayweather’s Las Vegas gym.
The bout also represents the first time the Tszyu family has headlined in Melbourne for 20 years – with some 30,000 having watched the old man, Kostya, beat Jesse James Leija in January of 2003.
Tszyu (5-0) is straight back into action following his dominant fourth round TKO over Bo Belbin on the undercard of brother Tim’s successful interim world title bout in March.
In an unprecedented run in the professional ranks, Nikita will take on his fifth undefeated opponent in only his sixth professional bout.
“It will be Nikita’s toughest test by a mile,” Rose said.
“He’s fighting in enemy territory against a proud Melburnian, who is an absolute bomber by name and by nature.
“I can’t wait.”
