A resolution is expected in the coming days in the legal claim lodged by former WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder against conqueror Tyson Fury.
‘The Bronze Bomber’ believes he is owed a third meeting with Fury after losing his WBC crown in seven rounds in the first fight of a two-bout deal in February 2020. The duo had previously battled to a contentious draw in 2018, where Wilder scored two knockdowns, but Fury appeared to win with his greater boxing acumen.
Team Fury maintains that the original two-fight contract had expired after a long delay where Wilder recovered from surgery before an appropriate venue and site fee became impossible due to the chaos caused by the Covid-19 Pandemic.
WBC king Fury is now apparently in the finishing stages of agreeing a two-bout deal to face WBA Super, WBO and IBF champion Anthony Joshua in Saudi Arabia in August. Should Wilder be successful with his legal claim and granted a third fight against Fury that could prove the proverbial ‘spanner in the works’.
Mike Coppinger of ‘The Athletic’ says the result of the Fury-Wilder arbitration is imminent, either way.
“Resolution expected in Tyson Fury-Deontay Wilder arbitration in [the] coming days, potentially by Monday,” tweeted Coppinger.
“The dispute surrounds the rematch clause: is Wilder owed a third fight? Former judge Daniel Weinstein will rule. Will Wilder be awarded damages? Will Fury simply move on?
“This goes on, of course, against the backdrop of efforts to finalise Tyson Fury-Anthony Joshua for early August in Saudi Arabia, with August 14 in Riyadh being eyed, per sources.”