Deontay Wilder during the fight against Tyson Fury, in February 2020. – John Gurzinski / AFP
While Tyson Fury is scheduled to play a heavyweight belt reunification fight against Anthony Joshua on August 14 in Saudi Arabia, an arbitration in the United States asks him to face Deontay Wilder again before September 15, according to the British press on Tuesday. .
This third fight between the “King of the Gypsies” and Wilder, after a draw in December 2018 and a victory for the Englishman in the 7th round in February 2020 has been postponed many times due to the Covid pandemic. Fury, holder of the WBC belt, ended up turning to his compatriot Joshua, WBA, IBF and WBO champion for a 100% English reunification fight.
Reunification on hold
This weekend, he even announced on his Twitter account that the fight had been set for August 14 in Saudi Arabia. But the Wilder clan had requested arbitration from a retired judge, Daniel Weinstein, who ruled in his favor, believing that Fury had until September 15 to honor the contract signed with Wilder which provided for a third fight.
This arbitration is not binding in itself, but it could be admissible in court, say the British media. According to Fury promoter Frank Warren, Fury remains determined to take on Joshua.
“We are working hard to get there”
“Until we find an amicable agreement with the representatives of Deontay Wilder, I cannot guarantee that the fight (against Joshua) will take place in a certain way, he admitted. But we are working hard to make it happen. We spoke last night and we hope to achieve it. “
If no arrangement can be found, “Tyson, if he wishes, will go and face Wilder.” These are the only two options, ”added the promoter. The opinion rendered by ex-judge Weinstein does not provide for any sum for Wilder’s compensation and quite allows the deadline of September 15 to be postponed, if the two parties manage to come to an agreement. Neither Fury nor Wilder have fought since meeting in Las Vegas over a year ago, which was the American’s first loss, as Fury remains undefeated in 31 fights.