Bob Arum thinks Tyson Fury fights Deontay Wilder in the trilogy next
The day may have started quiet, but there was this feeling something big could happen. Then just like that, fans are hit with a bombshell. Legendary promoter Bob Arum indicated fans could see the trilogy fight between WBC Heavyweight champion Tyson Fury and former champion Deontay Wilder instead of the undisputed fight with unified champion Anthony Joshua.
This news is like a punch in the gut for some. However, if you have been following things closely, it should not come as a huge shock. Even though both Fury and Joshua signed a two-fight deal, things never really progressed beyond that point.
EVERYONE WAS NOT ON THE SAME PAGE
DAZN/Matchroom Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn kept posting on the situation via social media. He gave continued updates on how close they are to finalizing a deal. However, Fury’s promoter, Frank Warren of Queensbury promotions, echoed there was still lots of work that needed to be done. He even expressed doubt about the fight happening on the proposed date of July.
Fury even claimed to have no idea of what was going on.
“I don’t know Jack.”
The WBC champion professed his state of intel during intermission of an MTK Global boxing event broadcast live by ESPN on March 13. He even took to social media out of frustration with a tweet suggesting a deadline to get the fight done. Otherwise, he would be looking to move on similar to what he did in the Wilder trilogy situation. Hearn, catching wind of Tyson Fury’s tweet, responded by implying Team Fury’s behavior implied they don’t want the fight.
Moreover, Arum told DAZN News that Hearn was supposed to send a signed document to host the fight in Saudi Arabia in 24 hours, and he has not heard from the DAZN promoter in a week. Nonetheless, the boxing community boxing continued to keep hope alive despite all of the confusion and contradictions.
WILDER COULD GET DESIRED TRILOGY FIGHT
The major benefactor in all of this could be the man nicknamed the Bronze Bomber in Deontay Wilder. The trilogy fight was supposed to take place after Wilder lost the title in the rematch against Fury back in February 2020. However, COVID-19 swept across the globe and put the brakes on anything from moving in sports.
The fight could not get rescheduled before the contractual timetable expired. Later, the former champion’s accusations of cheating from team Fury further muddied the waters. These, together, were enough for the WBC champion to decide to forgo the trilogy by focusing attention on fighting Joshua for undisputed. Of course, team Wilder was very upset about this, and they threw a desperate Hail Mary attempt requesting a third-party mediator to cast a decision on the matter.
Bob Arum, after attending the arbitration meeting, told Ring magazine, “A switch to negotiation is possible.” Right now, everything from all parties involved is not something fans want to hear. Especially so, considering most of the boxing community have moved towards wanting to see the first undisputed champion crowned in the four-belt era.
Hopefully soon, fans can wake up to the announcement of the fight finally being done with a date and venue.
By: Garrisson Bland
