The upcoming trilogy bout between WBC heavyweight title holder Tyson Fury and American rival Deontay Wilder is apparently in jeopardy after a reported Covid-19 outbreak in the champion’s camp.
In a story first reported by Mike Coppinger on ESPN.com, the July 24 showdown in Las Vegas could now be delayed until September or beyond due to the virus, throwing greater confusion on an already chaotic heavyweight championship landscape.
In May, an undisputed title clash between Fury and WBA Super, WBO and IBF champion Anthony Joshua hit the rocks after an arbitrator ruled that the ‘Gypsy King’ must fulfil the previously contracted trilogy fight against Wilder. That meant Joshua had to move on to a fight with WBO No.1 contender Oleksandr Usyk on September 25 while he waited for Fury to become available. Any delay to Fury-Wilder III only complicates matters further.
“We continue to monitor the health status of Tyson and his team, and the status of the event has not changed to date,” said Fury’s US promoter Top Rank in a statement on Thursday.
Fury and Wilder previously engaged in a 12-round draw in December 2018 before the ‘Gypsy King’ demolished the ‘Bronze Bomber’ in seven rounds in their February 2020 return.