COVID- 19 threatens Fury versus Wilder 111
TYSON Fury’s upcoming trilogy fight against Deontay Wilder this month is set to be pushed back to September after a COVID- 19 outbreak in the British heavyweight’s camp, according to reports.
The Gypsy King was set to lock horns with Wilder once again on July 24 after the American successfully forced him to abandon plans to take on fellow Brit Anthony Joshua following a court arbitration and had been training hard in the US as he bids to down the Bronze Bomber for a second time.
But following a coronavirus scare the bout - which was going to be held at the T- Mobile Arena in Las Vegas - is now likely to be delayed until September, as reported by ESPN.
The report claims that with the fight set to be a joint payper- view with ESPN and FOX, it will now have to be pushed back to the fall because Manny Pacquiao’s fight against Errol Spence Jr is slated for August 21.
Fury shocked the world in February 2020 when he stopped Wilder in the seventh round of their showdown in Las Vegas - taking his WBC world title belt in the process - but has not fought since.
He was widely expected to face Joshua in his next fight, with negotiations between Eddie Hearn and Fury’s promoters Frank Warren and Bob Arum dragging on for months amid a struggle to nail down a site venue and agree terms.
But after the two teams finally reached a breakthrough in talks and the mega undisputed fight seemingly on the verge of being announced - a US judge ruled that Wilder had the right to a third fight with Fury.
The Joshua - Fury fight was swiftly dropped and Fury’s team turned their attentions to Wilder, quickly arranging a July date, with Joshua being forced to take on Oleksandr Usyk in September instead.
Fury could now be fighting in the same month if his contest against Wilder is confirmed to be delayed.
Both fighters are hoping to come through their upcoming fights unscathed and set up a highly anticipated showdown - which had been mooted for this winter. But with the pair fighting so close to the end of the year a Spring date has also been suggested too.