We take a look at the domestic heavyweight scene in the light of recent events in and out-of the ring.
A David Price-Tyson Fury match-up looks like a non-starter
Promoter Mick Hennessy is not concerned about possible action against Tyson Fury over his recent foul-mouthed Twitter outbursts as he tries to get an opponent ranked in the world's top ten for the heavyweight on December 1.
Hennessy claims former world title challenger Eddie Chambers, of America, and Uzbekistan's Ruslan Chagaev, who held the WBA world title between 2007 and 2009, have both declined the opportunity to face Fury in Belfast.
One opponent it will not be is Fury's domestic rival David Price, despite both unbeaten fighters claiming they want to face each other.
While British champion Price, 29, was flattening Audley Harrison in 82 second in Liverpool on Saturday night, Fury was ringside in London to see super-middleweight James DeGale. Morecambe-based Fury, 24, began insulting Price during a TV interview and then used more colourful language in reference to the British champion in a tirade on Twitter.
The British Board of Control has said it will look into the remarks, but Hennessy insists it should not be high on the authority's priority list.
"The Board have got other problems and Tyson is at the back of the queue because they haven't dealt with the David Haye-Dereck Chisora fight and the Luxembourg Boxing Federation yet," Hennessy told Punchlines.
Liverpool's 2008 Olympic bronze medallist Price, is being lined up to face Bedford's Matt Skelton, 45, on December 8 and Hennessy is not ruling out a clash with Fury next year. But Hennessy added that terms would have to be agreeable to Fury, who relinquished the British belt earlier this year when purse bids were due to be revealed for a clash against Price.
With Fury ranked at No 4 by the WBC, Hennessy says getting a crack at either WBC champion Vitali or WBA-WBO-IBF titles-holder Wladimir is the top priority.
He told Punchlines: "We are looking at getting Tyson a top ten opponent for his next fight and a world title shot is the No 1 priority. Matt Skelton is a shocking opponent for Price's next fight. Tyson has fought unbeaten national champions and for his next opponent I've tried to get the likes of Eddie Chambers and Ruslan Chagaev, who are in the world's top ten.
"What's bigger: Tyson against David Price or Tyson against a Klitschko? Tyson is at No 4 with the WBC would be in for fighting for the vacant WBC title if Vitali Klitschko retires.
"But we might be prepared to put the world title on hold if Price steps up to the plate. The Price fight can happen - but on our terms because Tyson is more experienced, has had more fights, has the bigger profile and is ranked higher.
"Through Tyson's career his matchmaking has been in a different league to Price's, who hasn't done the rounds or fought anyone who has hit him back yet. Sam Sexton and Audley Harrison were way, way past their primes when they fought Price."
Quick Hits
James DeGale will make a mandatory defence of his European super-middleweight title against Italian Mouhamed Ali Ndiaye or an alternative opponent for an international title in Monte Carlo on December 8.
DeGale will be aiming to improve upon Saturday's unanimous points win over Frenchman Hadillah Mohoumadi after admitting mistakes.
"Maybe I was hit too much and I need to work on that," DeGale told Punchlines after his second fight in a year. "My stamina will be better for December 8 and my sharpness will be better for those 12 rounds under my belt.
"He was a tough opponent and some of the opponents on the world stage will be easier than that. I'd only had one four round fight in a year before that, and you have to remember that."
Ireland's 2012 Olympic games silver medalist John Joe Nevin has yet to commit himself to Amir Khan's promotional company, despite reports suggesting he has. The bantamweight is still in talks with Khan but is also considering the prospect of signing a contract with AIBA Professional Boxing.
