Bob Arum says Wilder v Fury 3 is close to resolution
If one is to believe the words of Top Rank promoter Bob Arum, there is good news on the horizon for Deontay “Bronze Bomber” Wilder (42-1-1, 41 KO’s). In late February 2020, he met WBC World Heavyweight champion Tyson “Gypsy King” Fury (30-0-1, 21 KO’s) in the ring to settle a score. They collided the year before but the high stakes dustup ended in a controversial draw. Sadly for Wilder, the rematch could not have gone any worse if he had sat down and scripted it.
Right from the start, Fury pounced on the Bomber and abused him in every way. He taunted, battered and bloodied Wilder. As the fight intensified the Gypsy King discombobulated the Alabaman, jellied his legs, knocked him down several times and even licked blood off his neck. Having seen enough horror, Wilder’s co-trainer Mark Breland threw in the towel. This was a move that would earn him Wilder’s scorn and ultimately get him removed from the team.
In the aftermath of the loss, the Bomber presented a laundry list of reasons for why he lost. He blamed the ref, Breland, his costume, drugged water and tampered gloves. When he called Fury a cheat, the newly crowned WBC champion vowed never to face Wilder again. After the situation went to mediation, everything largely went silent on this stalled trilogy. To make matters even bleaker for Wilder, Fury is mere inches away from finalizing a mega-fight with WBO/WBA/IBF World Heavyweight champion Anthony “AJ” Joshua (24-1, 22 KO’s). Now however, Arum believes that things should start going in Wilder’s favor.
LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL?
While speaking to Barbershop Conversations, Arum shined a light on some of the behind-the-scenes dealings.
“Fury/Wilder is a multimillion dollar fight – huge, huge fight. So because of that it proceeds along the lines of a big corporate merger. In other words, Matchroom, a few weeks ago, sent us a draft of the contract. We marked it up and sent them back a red lined version. They accepted some changes and it goes back and forth. That’s good because everyone wants to make that match and we are slowly but surely narrowing down the issues.
“And once we have a meeting of the minds, we’ll make an announcement. But I think that is proceeding in a very good way. In other words, it’s not there yet, but I think we are making progress.”
YOU STILL GOT TO WAIT THOUGH
Arum did not pretend like Fury was not fighting Joshua first. So even if a Fury v Wilder 3 is made, the Bomber will have to wait his turn. In the meantime, Arum thinks he would best use his time by taking on a worthy opponent to keep him sharp for the Gypsy King.
“The mediation is over…I think the best thing for Wilder is to fight some live guy, wait until Fury and Joshua fight and then I’ll look to fight the winner. You know he has Charles Martin who would be an excellent fight for Wilder.
“This Swedish kid [Otto Wallin] that beat Breazeale last night is a good opponent, he gave Fury hell when they fought. So there are a lot of good fights for Wilder.”
It will be interesting to see if what Arum says pans out to be on the level. Alternatively, we may come to find out these were just some pretty fantasies.
By: Bakari Simpson
