Tyson Fury to fight Deontay Wilder next and delay Anthony Joshua clash, says promoter

ByEurosport

Updated 18/05/2021 at 11:24 GMT

Tyson Fury's unification clash with Anthony Joshua hangs in the balance after the Gypsy King was ordered to fight Deontay Wilder. Fury knocked out Wilder to become WBC champion in February 2020 and an independent arbitrator has ruled the pair must fight again before September 15. An official announcement for Joshua vs Fury was imminent before the shock news broke.

Tyson Fury’s promoter Bob Arum revealed the heavyweight is likely to fight Deontay Wilder next rather than Anthony Joshua.

The boxing world had been gearing up for an undisputed heavyweight unification showdown between Fury and Joshua in Saudi Arabia this summer and the Gypsy King even declared on Monday a deal was done for August 14.

But less than 24 hours after that announcement, news broke that an independent arbitrator had ruled in Wilder’s favour over his dispute with Fury about their third fight.

Boxing

Fury v Usyk: Arum dismisses six judges 'experiment' for undisputed title showdown

17 hours ago

Fury signed a deal to fight Wilder last year that included a rematch clause. Fury stopped Wilder in sensational fashion in February 2020 to claim the WBC title, but their third and final clash was delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

When the fight was further postponed, Team Fury publicly declared the rematch clause had expired and pursued plans to take on IBF, WBA (Super) and WBO champion Joshua.

Matchroom boss and Joshua's promoter Eddie Hearn has been promising fight fans for months the undisputed bout was virtually agreed, but the ruling in America could now end Fury’s plans to face Joshua this summer.

Arum, who co-promotes Fury alongside Frank Warren, confirmed the ruling was likely to put the undisputed showdown on hold until the end of the year.

"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.

Were Fury to push ahead with fighting Joshua next instead of Wilder, a hefty step-aside fee would need to be agreed.

Anthony Joshua wants to fight Tyson Fury this summer

Image credit: Getty Images

Daniel Weinstein, the arbitrator, declined to award Wilder damages and ordered Fury to rematch the Bronze Bomber before September 15, however the former judge also opened the door for the heavyweight pair to agree to an extension.

Saudi Arabia has reportedly offered a site free worth over £100 million to host the fight, less than two years after they staged Joshua’s rematch with Andy Ruiz.

Should Team Fury fight Wilder next, Joshua could be forced to defend his WBO title against mandatory challenger Oleksandr Usyk, who was willing to wait to fight the winner of Fury-Joshua.

Boxing

Garcia knocks down Haney three times to claim shock majority decision victory

21/04/2024 at 09:38

Boxing

Noakes claims European lightweight title with comprehensive decision win over Mendy

21/04/2024 at 07:52

Boxing

Noakes beats Mendy on points - Fight Night as it happened

20/04/2024 at 22:54