Is the Much Anticipated Super-Fight Between Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury in Danger?
Oh, what a tangled web boxing weaves when it comes to the negotiations to finalize the world heavyweight unification between IBF/WBA ‘Super’/WBO champ Anthony Joshua (24-1, 22 KOs) and WBC World belt-holder Tyson Fury (30-0-1, 21 KOs). What once looked like a done deal could now be in serious jeopardy. Former WBC World heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder (42-1-1, 41 KOs) has sought arbitration to uphold a contracted third fight with Fury. According to the UK’s Daily Star, arbitrator Daniel Weinstein has ruled in favor of Wilder. On May 17, Weinstein ordered that Fury is obligated to face Wilder and do so by September 15. A gag order has been put in place preventing further details.
WEAVING THROUGH THE HEAVYWEIGHT WEB
Initially, a Tyson Fury v Deontay Wilder trilogy was to take place in July of 2020. However, it was pushed back as boxing was on freeze due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. Then the fight was set for December of 2020, but neither camp could come to terms on a deal.
Frustrated over the inability to close the deal on a third fight with Wilder, Team Fury decided to move on. In June of 2020, Fury and Joshua agreed in principle to a two-fight deal for 2021. Following Joshua’s victory over IBF Heavyweight mandatory challenger Kubrat Pulev in December of 2020, the camps of Fury and Joshua went to work to make a fight with each other.
Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, had stated that the long-awaited Joshua v Fury fight would take place on August 14 in Dubai. Tyson Fury released a message on social media declaring the fight is a go. With Weinstein’s ruling, if Fury decides to go ahead and fight Joshua, he would be in breach of contract and put himself at risk of being stripped of the WBC title.
It is not known as of this writing what this means for Joshua v Fury. Does it ultimately take place, or does Fury abide by the arbitrator’s ruling? Stay tuned to 3KingsBoxing on this breaking news.
By: Michael Wilson Jr.
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