The mega-fight between Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua, scheduled for August 14th, appears to have hit a snag. According to an arbitrator’s decision, ‘The Gypsy King’ will face former WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder by September 15th.
The camp of Wilder has been adamant about a trilogy battle against Fury, citing a clause in their fighting deal. The fight, however, had to be rescheduled due to lockdown restrictions. Fury eventually lost interest in the Wilder matchup.
Former federal judge Daniel Weinstein issued an injunction to Wilder on Monday, requiring Fury to combat ‘The Bronze Bomber’ by September 15th. According to multiple sources, Fury would either have to follow the ruling or agree a fee with Wilder to sit out the fight.
‘Fury expected to face Wilder first’
Neither Fury nor Wilder have publicly discussed the situation. However, Fury’s American promoter, Bob Arum, is willing to accept the arbitrator’s decision. According to Arum, the Anthony Joshua vs. Fury fight will most likely be moved to November or December.
“We’re not paying Wilder to step aside,” Arum told ESPN on Monday. “It’s better to get rid of him and go about our business. We can make the Fury-Joshua fight for November or December.”
Furthermore, Top Rank is said to have booked Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas for a Fury vs. Wilder trilogy fight on July 24th.
Fury and Wilder first met on December 1, 2018. The fight was held in front of 17,698 people at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. They exchanged blows for 12 rounds before the fight was declared a split-decision draw. The contentious ruling paved the way for a rematch between the two gladiators.
Fury fought Wilder again on February 22, 2020, following the financial success of the first fight (Wilder vs. Fury 1 grossed $30 million). Fury defeated the American boxer via seventh-round TKO after displaying an effortless striking masterclass.
While the world waits with bated breath to see Fury take on Joshua in what could be a heavyweight showdown for the ages, it appears that we will first be treated to a trilogy between Fury and Wilder.
What do you think will happen in the trilogy fight? Let us know in the comments!
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