Tyson Fury could fight Anthony Joshua rival Andy Ruiz Jr in March as Bob Arum reveals two options for Gypsy King

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Tyson Fury could fight Andy Ruiz Jr as a substitute for Dillian White in March, promoter Bob Arum has revealed.

Fury is ordered to defend his WBC title against mandatory challenger White.

Tyson Fury could fight Andy Ruiz Jr as a replacement for Dillian White in March

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Tyson Fury could fight Andy Ruiz Jr as a replacement for Dillian White in Marchcredit: Rex
Andy Ruiz Jr. in his rematch loss to Anthony Joshua

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Andy Ruiz Jr. in his rematch loss to Anthony Joshuacredit: The Sun

But the British claimant has taken the governing body to arbitration for the dues in the purse splits.

With a hearing set for March, this leaves Fury potentially returning to a non-title fight.

And his American promoter Arum named former champions Ruiz and Robert Helenius as opponents in the race.

He told IFL TV: “Frank Warren and I are looking for another opponent to fight Fury in Manchester or Las Vegas, depending on who the opponent is.

“So we’re looking at Andy Ruiz as a possibility, he’s available.

“This big Finnish kid, who looked great on the semi-wind up on Fury – Wilder Card, Hellenius, the big, big Finnish kid, who can really fight.

“Those are the two leading guys. I think if it’s Hellenius we’d do it in the UK and if it was Ruiz, we’d do it in Las Vegas.”

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Frank Warren previously claimed that 33-year-old White believes he owes 45 percent of a potential purse due to his WBC ‘interim’ title.

But Warren admitted he was under the impression that only a 20 percent split would be awarded to the challenger.

And without any clear confirmation on what a purse split is, it means promoters are not clear about which number to negotiate.

So when White is facing a legal battle, it means he may be overlooked again.

Ruiz, 32, is best remembered for defeating 32-year-old Anthony Joshua in June 2019, but lost a rematch six months later.

The 37-year-old Helenius is on a three-fight winning streak, his last two coming against 32-year-old Adam Konaki.

I think if it’s Hellenius we’d do it in the UK and if it was Ruiz, we’d fight in Las Vegas.

Bob Arum on Tyson Fury’s next fight

Fury, 33, was touted for his UK homecoming, having made headlines statesside in his last five appearances since 2018 and has not boxed at home.

But his next rival and the coronavirus pandemic will determine the location of his return next year.

Arum said: “I would love to have my next fight in the United States, Frank wants to do a fight for him in the UK and I’m with him.

“And Tyson I think would love to have his next fight in Manchester, but I really think we have to take a look at the whole situation.

“Pandemic is big actor here. If it continues, I know [the UK] The month of January has called off all sports, and it may continue in February and March.

“And if it looks like it’s going to happen, I think we’re not going to close in the United States, especially not in Nevada, which has a huge tourist economy.”

Frank Warren, Tyson Fury and Bob Arumu

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Frank Warren, Tyson Fury and Bob Arumucredit: Alamy

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