World heavyweight champion

A seventh-round stoppage of Deontay Wilder in Las Vegas on Saturday ensured Fury won the WBC belt and became a world heavyweight champion for the second time in his career.

The 31-year-old previously beat Wladimir Klitschko in November 2015 but vacated the IBF, WBA and WBO titles while he fought depression and drug addiction.

He made his return to the ring in June 2018, shedding more than seven stone in six months, and completed his remarkable turnaround by beating Wilder two and a half years later.

Parker defends his WBO belt against Fury in Auckland on May 6 and the big Brit has made it clear he will have to beat the pick of the glamour division to head home with a world title to his name.

There are huge raps on fellow Brit Anthony Joshua, who defends his IBF belt against Wladimir Klitschko in London at the end of the month, and America's aggressive WBC champion Deontay Wilder.

But Fury reckons Parker more than has their measure in terms of skill and determination.

Parker won the WBO title vacated by Fury's cousin Tyson, and now has a mandated challenge from Hughie as his first defence.

Parker's handlers have won the purse bid to control the fight - expected to be held in April - and are working through venue options.

Fury last week pulled out of his proposed rematch with Wladimir Klitschko, scheduled for October 29, due to undetermined health concerns, sparking speculation he could be stripped of his belts.

It has subsequently been claimed that Fury failed a drugs test carried out by the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA) on September 22.

VADA declined to comment on the results of any test when contacted by Omnisport on Friday, but Fury caused a stir with an image posted on social media on Saturday.