Thursday 22 September 2016 18:07, UK
Hughie Fury has been offered a fight with fellow WBO title contender Izuagbe Ugonoh after original opponent Andy Ruiz Jr turned down their October 29 bout.
The Manchester heavyweight was scheduled to face Ruiz Jr on the undercard of Tyson Fury's rematch with Wladimir Klitschko, but his trainer Peter Fury confirmed earlier this week that the Mexican will no longer appear on the bill.
Just days after the Ruiz Jr fight fell through, Ugonoh has offered to face Fury instead, with the winner edging closer to a WBO title shot as both fighters are inside the organisation's top 15 rankings.
"I'm very interested in that fight," said the Poland-born Ugonoh, who has 13 stoppages in his 16-fight unbeaten record. "When I heard about the opportunity, I spoke to my coach Kevin Barry and I was like 'yes, definitely that's a fight that I would be interested in'.
"This is what people are always keen to see. Two unbeaten fighters, who are putting everything they have been working for, on the line.
"I have watched Hughie fight, I think he's a good boxer. I actually like the way he fights. I'll be ready for a fight like that, it will be a good fight, and I think I'll win it.
"This is what people are always keen to see. Two unbeaten fighters, who are putting everything they have been working for, on the line. It will be exciting for the fans and also me personally. It's the kind of fight I'm looking for."
Ugonoh will take on Gregory Tony on the undercard of Joseph Parker's upcoming clash with Alexander Dimitrenko on October 1 and his promoter Dean Lonergan has already made a written offer for a following fight with Fury.
Parker, who is also trained by Kevin Barry, is expected to target either IBF champion Anthony Joshua or David Price if he defeats Dimitrenko and Lonergan hopes both of his heavyweights will soon have major bouts in the UK.
Lonergan told Sky Sports: "When we come up there on November 26 with Joseph Parker to perform in front of the Manchester Arena, I'm hoping that Izu Ugonoh will already have received his chance to fight Hughie Fury.
"Parker and Ugonoh are going to cut a swathe through the British heavyweight scene. Hughie Fury will be the first cab off the rank, probably David Price will be next to bite the dust, and then Anthony Joshua is going to have a very hard fight with Joseph Parker."
Peter Fury was unavailable for comment.
