• Heavyweight

Fury handed world title option

ESPN staff
October 30, 2011
Tyson Fury is unbeaten as a professional © PA Photos
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WBA World heavyweight champion Alexander Povetkin has fired back at Tyson Fury after the young Brit challenged him to a bout.

Fury, the unbeaten British and Commonwealth champion, said this week that he is looking to leap directly from domestic to world level, bypassing the European route.

And as he has no interest in taking on either of the Klitschkos, Fury must target Povetkin, the only non-Klitschko in the division who holds one of the major titles (Wladimir Klitschko is the WBA Super champion).

But while Povetkin is willing to entertain the idea of a bout, he says his current priority is a December defence against Cedric Boswell.

"I am ready to defend my belt against every challenger out there," Povetkin said. "But I must admit I am not overly scared by comments from someone whose biggest hit to date has been a Youtube video where he punches himself in the face. Right now all my focus is on Cedric Boswell."

Povetkin has built up a 22-0 record as a professional, claiming notable victories over Chris Byrd, Eddie Chambers and Ruslan Chagaev, who he won the WBA World belt against during August.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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