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After almost three years of inactivity, former world heavyweight title challenger Hughie Fury (26-3, 15 KOs) will finally return to the ring.
Fury will box on April 20 at the Magna Centre, Rotherham, in England, against an opponent yet to be confirmed. G.B.M. Sports promote the event, which will be broadcast live on talkSPORT via YouTube.
Hughie, the cousin of current WBC world heavyweight champion Tyson, last appeared in October 2021 with a fifth-round victory over Christian Hammer.
Fury had previously suffered from the effects of long-term COVID, which forced the former British heavyweight titleholder out of a proposed encounter with Michael Hunter in 2022.
In 2017, Fury challenged for the WBO world heavyweight title against Joseph Parker in his hometown of Manchester, dropping a disputed majority decision.
Defeats to Kubrat Pulev and Alexander Povetkin followed in 2018 and 2019 respectively. Hughie began rebuilding his career with three straight wins until his last outing against Hammer in October 2021.
Still only 29, and speaking to Boxing Now [formerly BBTV], Fury said he wanted to get the rounds under his belt first before targeting a run at the heavyweight division domestically or beginning his ascent up the global heavyweight ratings.
“I have been out for just under three years, and all I am looking for is a tickover fight,” Fury told Boxing Now. “I don’t even want to stop whoever I fight. I want to get in there, work on my stuff and blow the cobwebs off. Then, after that, I want to get myself back to the top.
“I don’t care how many rounds I have when I return. I want to get the rounds in and move on to the next one because I want to be more active.”
Hughie wants to repay the faith given to him by his father and trainer, Peter and his family, while having some choice words for his critics.
“My dad and I have a journey to do and after this fight, it is one-way traffic back to the top. That is what we believe will happen. My dad has pushed me all the way and has always stood by me no matter what has happened. Our goal is to go to the very top,“ Fury added.
“If my dad or I didn’t think I could do it, we would pack it in tomorrow [retire].
“I do not give two f**** what anyone says, that is the truth. Anyone can write me off, but f*** them. The only people who matter to me are my family and their opinions, so the rest of them can go f*** themselves.”