Tyson Fury

The former unified heavyweight champion of the world makes his WWE debut on October 31, facing Braun Strowman at Crown Jewel in Saudi Arabia.

Following his move into sports entertainment, Fury expects to return to the ring against Deontay Wilder in February.

However, the 31-year-old has suggested he will have wrapped up his boxing career by the end of 2020.

"Hopefully I have three fights next year, Wilder in February, Wilder in June and then maybe a farewell fight in December," Fury told BBC Sport.

Fury successfully defended his lineal heavyweight title, but only after surviving a huge scare from his Swedish opponent.

The Brit was cut badly above his right eye in the third round and had to deal with a bloody face for long periods, but his aggression – particularly in the second half of the fight – paid off.

Judges scored it 118-110, 117-111 and 116-112 in Fury's favour as he improved to 29-0-1 and handed Wallin (20-1) his first defeat.

Fury returned to the ring for the first time since his thrilling draw with Wilder in December and he made light work of the previously unbeaten Schwarz in Las Vegas.

After the victory, Fury said he intended to fight once more before seeking a rematch with WBC title-holder Wilder.

Yet Wilder, who, like Fury, is still yet to taste defeat, was less than impressed by his display on Saturday given who he defeated.

"It was a cool performance; It wasn't much of an opponent," Wilder told The Athletic.

IBF, WBA and WBO champion Joshua has repeatedly failed to secure a fight with the other two leading names in the division, with high-profile negotiations with Wilder, in particular, failing time and again.

The Briton will next face Andy Ruiz Jr at Madison Square Garden on June 1, but he believes Wilder and Fury are taking a risk by delaying any clash with him.

Joshua claims he has been steadily improving since beating Wladimir Klitschko in April 2017 and expects his hard work to pay off against his next opponent.

Wilder will defend his WBC title against mandatory challenger Dominic Breazeale next month, with Joshua then set to make his American debut at Madison Square Garden on June 1 against an unnamed replacement for Jarrell Miller, expected to be Andy Ruiz Jr.

The unification bout against WBA, IBF and WBO champion Joshua appears no closer to coming to fruition.

However, Wilder recently insisted it was inevitable and Finkel anticipates it will finally happen next year.

If the situation goes to a purse bid, any promoter can bid to host the fight, with Wilder getting 60 percent of the winning bid and Fury getting 40 percent as opposed to the usual 70-30 split.

Wilder retained his title after a split decision draw with Fury last month and the WBC quickly sanctioned a direct rematch, meaning mandatory challenger Dominic Breazeale and fellow suitor Dillian Whyte will likely be forced to wait at least a fight longer before competing for the belt.

"Wilder and Fury gave boxing one of the best fights in the heavyweight division in a long time, which has created tremendous popular demand for the fans to see a rematch," the WBC said in a statement on Friday.

US boxer Wilder (40-0-1, 39 KOs) knocked Britain's Fury (27-0-1, 19 KOs) down twice, including a brutal right-left combination in the 12th that initially looked like it would end the fight.

Fury will step into the ring with Francesco Pianeta a week on Saturday after beating Sefer Seferi in his first bout for 32 months in June.

Sulaiman confirmed former world heavyweight champion Fury could get a chance to take Wilder's WBC belt from him after Anthony Joshua signed up for a fight with WBA mandatory challenger Alexander Povetkin on September 22.

"It seems that Wilder will fight Tyson Fury next," Sulaiman told Sky Sports. "We are waiting for an official sanction request from the promoter."

WBC heavyweight champion Wilder has long been talking with Anthony Joshua about a unification bout but, even with Wembley Stadium secured for the Briton for April, no contract has been agreed.

Eddie Hearn, Joshua's promoter, touted a fight between Wilder and Dillian Whyte at the weekend, too, but it now appears that the American will instead face Fury. 

Fury (26-0) ended a two-and-a-half-year absence by beating Sefer Seferi in June and faces Francesco Pianeta in August, before turning his attentions to Wilder (40-0). 

The 26-year-old is not convinced the 6ft9 Briton offers much insight into the type of bout they can expect in Cardiff.

Speaking to Andrew Gourdie and Jim Kayes on RadioLIVE, Parker admits he appreciates the support, but is happy with the sparring partners they have assembled.

"Tyson Fury's a great guy, but with all due respect to him, I don't think it's the right person to spar because he moves around well for a big guy and he doesn't come forward, and he's a lot taller.