Rankings offer clue to potential Tyson Fury opponent after Dillian Whyte ruling

The WBC have ranked Joe Joyce as their second placed heavyweight behind Deontay Wilder, which could suggest Fury may face the Brit if a fight with Whyte cannot be agreed

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Where does Tyson Fury’s win leave the world heavyweight scene?

Tyson Fury could face Joe Joyce in an alternative heavyweight clash if he cannot agree a bout with WBC interim champion Dillian Whyte.

The ‘Gypsy King’ is currently pondering his next challenge after dismissing Deontay Wilder in a historic clash to end their trilogy.

And he was set to be ordered to face WBC mandatory challenger Whyte at the organisation’s convention, but there will now be a delay with the ‘Body Snatcher’s’ legal dispute with the sanctioning body rumbling on.

But Fury could have an alternative opponent within reach after domestic rival Joyce was declared as the No.2 heavyweight in the WBC rankings.

He was ranked below Fury’s three-time rival Wilder and Whyte who is the leading contender as interim champion.

The ‘Juggernaut’ is currently the mandatory challenger for the WBO belt held by Oleksandr Usyk after cementing his status as a top contender with a stoppage victory over Carlos Takam.

And he rose to world-level with a shock victory over Queensberry Promotions stablemate Daniel Dubois to put a dent in his meteoric rise.

Joyce has frequently spoken about his relationship with Fury having sparred the ‘Gypsy King’ during various points in his career.

And lineal champion Fury is certainly a fan of Joyce’s heavyweight credential, viewing him as his biggest domestic rival ahead of Anthony Joshua, according to his co-promoter Frank Warren.

“Tyson said that he’s [Joyce] the best one out there,” Warren told Sky Sports. “That’s what Tyson’s opinion was. Can he go all the way? Yes he can. He’s got a good ticker, a big heart. He’s strong, he walks forwards, he is the ‘Juggernaut.’

“Whoever he’s in there with, you know they will have a problem getting rid of him. He’s a tough guy. He can fight a bit. He can punch.”

Fury is uncertain of his next foe after hinting at the possibility of hanging up his gloves with his glistening career reaching its pinnacle last month.

But he had previously agreed to meet domestic rival Joshua before he was forced to arrange his trilogy bout with Wilder, collapsing a deal worth more than £100million.

Will Tyson Fury face Joe Joyce during his boxing career? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below

However that will not be his next task with Joshua set to fight for redemption in a rematch after losing his unified titles to pound-for-pound contender Usyk in September.

And Fury’s promoter Bob Arum has admitted that the ‘Gypsy King’ is more interested in facing the Ukrainian in an undisputed tilt, than he is defending his undefeated status against Whyte.

Arum told Sky Sports : “The alternative is that if Joshua decides not to exercise his rematch against Usyk and decides to step aside, the fight we would like to make is between Usyk and Fury.

“That is a fight to unify the titles once and for all. Then Joshua can fight the winner of the undisputed fight. Whyte can stand in line and fight the winner ultimately.

“That’s what Tyson would like. And I represent Tyson. That is his preference. If they want to fight each other, which I believe they do? I would facilitate it.”