Tyson Fury vs Deontay Wilder 3 WILL still happen in December according to the American’s manager Shelly Finkel.
Multiple media reports in the UK on Saturday claimed that the contract for the trilogy fight was about to expire, and it would not now go ahead.
A cancellation, the reports said, would allow Fury (30-0-1) to instead fight a different opponent in the UK before Christmas. And leave an easier path to a unification match with fellow Brit Anthony Joshua next summer.
But soon after though, Finkel exclusively told World Boxing News: “It’s simply not true (that the contract has expired).
“Deontay Wilder is fighting Tyson Fury in December. We are working on the fight. We will update and keep WBN informed.”
The saga about whether Fury vs Wilder 3 will happen has continued for several months. Initially it was tabbed for July and then October, but the COVID-19 pandemic scuppered both dates.
Vegas holds December key
Then Saturday December 19 in Las Vegas appeared to be favourite, before co-promoter Bob Arum ruled that out last week. He said it would not go up against a packed American football schedule in the battle for TV eyeballs.
Arum did say the bout would hopefully be held earlier in December, and that Allegiant Stadium remains favourite to stage it.
The new $2billion home of the NFL’s Las Vegas Raiders seats 65,000. And Arum said he was hopeful 10-15,000 would be allowed in to see the fight.
Arum has been steadfast in his stance that the fight could not happen without a live gate. Fury vs Wilder 2, in Las Vegas in February, raked in almost $17million through the turnstiles. That was a record for a heavyweight bout.
The first big fight since boxing’s COVID-19 hiatus ended takes place in Las Vegas next weekend (October 17). That sees Vasiliy Lomachenko meet Teofimo Lopez to unify the world lightweight titles.
Only 250 people will be allowed into the MGM Grand Conference Center to see that fight in person. So it remains to be seen what the plan is to finally get Fury vs Wilder 3 on before the end of 2020.
Route to Fury vs Joshua
A Fury vs Joshua unification match next year would be the biggest fight in British history. But the path to that meeting must still be navigated.
As well as Fury needing to get past Wilder (42-1-1) first, Joshua (23-1) will defend his titles against Kubrat Pulev on Saturday December 12.
Joshua may also have to defend against WBO mandatory contender Oleksandr Usyk (17-0) before he can meet Fury.
Usyk has a date of his own coming up, a pay-per-view showdown with Dereck Chisora on October 31.