Tyson Fury could be set to announce his homecoming fight soon, with co-promoter Bob Arum claiming that Agit Kabayel and Carlos Takam are the most likely opponents.
The WBC Heavyweight World Champion has seemingly abandoned a third match against Deontay Wilder.
The rematch clause from their second fight contract has now reportedly expired, leaving Fury free to fight another opponent.
‘The Gypsy King’ is set to use this bout as a homecoming celebration, showing off his talents on UK soil after winning the WBC belt in the USA.
Both potential opponents – Kabayel and Takam – are perennial contenders. Neither man has come close to winning a world title, nor are they expected to. However, both men have some notable performances on their record.
German heavyweight, Kabayel, famously beat Dereck Chisora back in 2017 to pick up the vacant EBU European Heavyweight Title.
That will doubtless impress British boxing fans, who know how impressive Chisora can be.
However, he was widely accepted to be unfit and out of form in his bout with Kabayel and the German’s other wins have come against much less notable fighters.
Even a win over Chisora offers little hope that Kabayel can perform against Fury, given that Fury has soundly beaten ‘Del Boy’ on two occasions.
Conversely, Takam was beaten by Chisora, but is more highly rated by most experts, despite his age.
The 39-year-old French heavyweight has put in commendable performances against Chisora, Alexander Povetkin, Joseph Parker and Anthony Joshua.
He lost all three bouts but showed toughness and tested all three top-level fighters.
Thanks to his height, reach and style, Fury is likely to be able to deal with the 6’1” Frenchman more easily than those shorter rivals.
Arum told Boxing Scene: “He’s deciding on an opponent… I’m not doing a bus boy.
“Fury should beat Takam but Takam is at least known and he has been on ESPN. And he looked pretty good in the last fight.
“The other guy [Kabayel] is undefeated and he has fought some fairly decent guys. I haven’t come up with anybody else.”