By Charles Brun: Carlos Takam now joins Agit Kabayel on the shortlist for WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury’s next fight on December 5th in London, England.
The 39-year-old Takam (39-5-1, 28 KOs) is best known as the replacement opponent that stepped in to challenge IBF/WBA champion Anthony Joshua on short notice in October 2017.
Takam and #15 WBC Kabayel (20-0, 13 KOs) are both with Top Rank. Hence, they’re the two leading options for the Top Rank-promoted Fury (30-0-1, 21 KOs) to defend against December 5th.
Fury was supposed to be fighting Deontay Wilder in a trilogy match, but he decided he didn’t want to wait until January to fight him again.
Even though Fury will likely make much less money to face Kabayel or Takam, he’s chosen to go that route rather than wait until January to face the dangerous Wilder (42-1-1, 41 KOs).
Fury vs. Takam could be finalized soon
Although Joshua struggled at times, he came on in the 10th round to stop the much shorter 6’1 ½” Takam, who was still fighting back when the referee Phil Edwards inexplicably stepped in and stopped the contest.
Takam has a four-fight winning streak since losing to journeyman Dereck Chisora by an 8th round knockout in July 2018.
“Carlos would probably be the best guy out there to fight Fury,” said Joe DeGuardia of Star Boxing to Sky Sports.
“Absolutely, it’s the heavyweight championship of the world. This would be something that’s going to happen relatively soon,” DeGuardia said about a fight between Fury and Takam being finalized soon.
U.S boxing fans would be less hostile about a Fury vs. Takam fight than they would if Tyson faces Kabayel. With that said, there likely be any interest whatsoever in watching Fury fight an older, smaller heavyweight like Takam.
The fact Chisora knocked out Takam in 2018 tells you all you need to know about his qualifications or lack thereof for a fight against Fury.
Takam has won his last four fights against these heavyweights:
- Jerry Forrest
- Senad Gashi
- Craig Lewis
- Fabio Maldonado
Other options for Fury
Oscar Rivas and Jermaine Franklin are both interested in challenging Fury, but those two arguably tougher fights for him. It doesn’t appear that Fury or Top Rank wants to take chances right now.
Fury will be taking on IBF/WBA/WBO champion Joshua in 2021, and he can’t lose his December 5th fight if he wants to collect all that green from that fight with AJ.
“Oscar Rivas is fit, available, ranked No 8 by the WBC and would gladly take the challenge,” said co-promoter Yvon Michel to Sky Sports.
Rivas is dangerous for Fury, Michael Hunter, who recently said he would fight him for free. It’s telling that Top Rank isn’t looking to take Hunter up on his offer to fight Fury for free. Hunter revealed last week that he beat Fury in the amateurs.