A week ago it seemed long odds against Tyson Fury ever getting into a ring with Deontay Wilder again. Now, maybe it does sound quite so outlandish.
‘The Gypsy King’ had “moved on” from his planned trilogy meeting with ‘The Bronze Bomber’ after attempts to put it on this year failed. Then Wilder appeared to burn several bridges with his controversial outbursts and claims on social media.
Instead Fury (30-0-1) would take in a UK homecoming fight at the Royal Albert Hall on December 5. Likely against unbeaten German Agit Kabayel (20-0). Wilder meanwhile might have to wait years for another shot at the WBC title.
But then it was revealed mediation was taking place between the two camps to see if Fury vs Wilder 3 will indeed have to happen. And on Sunday night Fury announced that December 5 was off and he would return to the ring instead in 2021.
Now Fury’s co-promoter Frank Warren has provided an update on the situation. Both the legal latest on Fury vs Wilder 3, and the reasons for that December 5 no-go.
Fury December 5 date scuppered without fans
He told the Daily Mail: “Tyson hasn’t been in the ring since defeating Wilder and he really didn’t want to be out for a full year or more and was eager to box again for his home fans.
“We did everything we could to get December 5 done but between Top Rank (Fury’s American promoters) and ESPN (his US television paymasters) we could not find a way to make it work without fans during the COVID pandemic.”
US next for Fury in February or March
Warren says Fury’s next bout will now be in the United States in late February or March.
“ESPN hold the TV contract rights over there to his forthcoming fights so it’s the US next for Tyson in late February or March. Although our priority has always been the big fight with Joshua, ideally that would be in the UK.
“So we now await the judge’s findings in America with regard to Wilder. That is still a huge fight in its own right.”
Fury vs Joshua of course is the fight British boxing fans are dreaming of. Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn said this week he expects their first meeting to take place in May or June.
It remains to be seen whether Fury fighting in late February or March would alter that timescale. Joshua of course defends his IBF, WBA and WBO heavyweight titles against Kubrat Pulev on December 12.
