I think Fury is just broadcasting signals to Usyk's promotion team that he has other big fights available to him.
Three heavyweight fights took place on last night's "Broadway Boxing" card organized by Lou Di Bella promotions. All three went the scheduled distance, though none of the fights were close. Belgian prospect Michael Pirotton improved to 7-0, 3 KOs, defeating Canada’s Sukhchann Sahota (2-1, 1 KO) by unanimous decision. Scores were 60-54, 60-54, and 59-55 for Pirotton. I don't know much about either fighter except to suggest that Pirotton must have some sort of tie-in with Lou Di Bella to have ventured so far from home. Fernely Feliz Jr. improved to 4-0 (3 KOs) by dominating the overweight and overmatched Cameron Graham (2-2, 2 KOs) - with scores of 40-35 x3. Feliz Jr knocked down his corpulent opponent late in the 4th and final round, but Graham survived to see the final bell. Graham had already been stopped once - by an MMA fighter-turned boxer, no less - so it's not a compelling result for Feliz Jr. Stephan Shaw (18-0, 13 KOs) used aging gatekeeper Rydell Booker (26-7-1) as a punching bag for 8 rounds, earning him a sweep of the cards (80-72 x3). But Shaw couldn't finish Booker and the latter didn't even appear to be hurt until near the end of the 7th round where Shaw busted open Rydell's nose. This tends to give credence to the opinion that Shaw lacks some power and that this could be a factor eventually, as his opposition improves. I have read on the "nyfights" site that Di Bella intends to match Shaw with Italian prospect Guideo Vianello next and that that bout should take place early in 2023. This is not great news for Shaw, as Vianello poses at least some risk and isn't a well-recognized name outside of European boxing circles. And that recognition isn't all positive, as many began to doubt Vianello's potential after his lackluster (and perhaps lucky?) draw against Kingsley Ibbeh a couple years ago. Even if Shaw wins - it won't move the needle much in his favor.
Ps. I watched his Olympics fights and some others. Would like to have seen him against Jalolov or Huni if he had gone to Tokyo.
Interesting. Zhang is a big risk (for at least the front half of that fight) - but it seems this could be hugely lucrative, gate-wise, and fastrack him to another title shot.
Just a follow up re Danier Pero's pending pro debut ... at somewhere called Outlaw Saloon in Cheyenne. 23 years old - 6.5 + long reach I think. Amateur record below: https://boxrec.com/en/box-am/863085 Has wins over Vykhryst, Larduet and Torrez Jr.
Fabio Wardley moved to 15-0 by notching his 14th stoppage victory over Nathan Gorman (now 19-2) on the undercard of the Whyte v. Franklin bout. Gorman outboxed Wardley with relative ease in the first round. He then gave a warning that his reputation as a featherfirst may not be fully-justified by hurting Wardley at the start of the 2nd round, possibly breaking Wardley's nose as he did so. Wardley, however, responded by landing huge right hands on Gorman that sent him tumbling to the canvas not once, but twice before the 2nd round ended. Wardley then ended the contest in the 3rd round when Groman was knocked down. While Gorman beat the count - his corner through in the towel immediately afterwards. IMO - the replay of the third knockdown did not clearly indicate that Wardley's right hand struck Gorman. Seemed a bit fishy, but others might disagree.
I did not watch the fight, so no dog in this fight, but a lot of people are talking about it all over the internet, and someone mentioned that Gorman kept looking back to his corner. I don't know.
