By Elliot Foster, Video by Ryan Burton

Hughie Fury has yet to sign the bout contract to fight for the world title.

The Wythenshawe heavyweight, who is the cousin of former world heavyweight ruler Tyson Fury and undefeated in 21 fights, is mandatory challenger to WBO champion Joseph Parker.

A potential date of April 1 was initially given for the fight, but this has not been finalised by Duco Events, who are in no rush to make an announcement on the location.

Boxing Scene understood that the fight would take place at a venue in Auckland, New Zealand, after Duco –– Parker’s handlers –– won the purse bids with a sum of $3,011,000, with just an announcement on the exact venue the only sticking point to it all being formalised.

But the fight was thrown into jeopardy on Thursday when WBO president Paco Valcarcel took to Twitter to claim that 22-year-old Fury (20-0, 10 KOs) has yet to sign the deal to fight New Zealander Parker.

The 25-year-old (22-0, 18 KOs) could make a voluntary defence, Valcarcel says, “if [Fury] doesn’t sign [the bout contract] before 12pm UK time [on Friday].”

It is understood that the team of Parker has requested that the WBO sanction a voluntary defence for their man should Fury not sign the deal –– and Valcarcel has said that the sanctioning body will consider the move if Fury, who is trained by his father Peter, doesn’t put pen to paper.

Further details will be revealed in due course.