The WBC and The Ring heavyweight champion, Tyson Fury has tested positive for COVID-19. As a result of this, his trilogy with former champion, Deontay Wilder has been postponed. The fight was scheduled for July 24th in Las Vegas, however, Fury and 10 of his team have tested positive for the virus. It is believed that the fight will go ahead in October, giving Fury enough time to recover and get prepared for the highly anticipated match.
What’s been said?
ESPN‘s Mike Coppinger has been told that the fight will still take place, however, will be postponed until October 9th. That does mean that UK fans will be able to be in attendance following reduced covid restrictions.
Sources: Targeted date for Tyson Fury-Deontay Wilder 3 is Oct. 9. Fight moving to fall ostensibly means plenty of promotion on ESPN and FOX on college football Saturdays and NFL Sundays. Heavyweight championship trilogy fight will still be staged in Las Vegas at T-Mobile Arena
— Mike Coppinger (@MikeCoppinger) July 9, 2021
It was previously reported that members of Tyson Fury’s team had tested positive, however, it was announced last night that Tyson Fury himself had also tested positive for the virus.
BREAKING: Per source, Tyson Fury was one of the people in his camp who tested positive for Covid-19 and the fight with Wilder is postponed. New date TBA. I’ve been told Fury got one vaccine dose but never got the 2nd. At least 3 others in camp also positive. #boxing #FuryWilder3
— Dan Rafael (@DanRafael1) July 8, 2021
As per Shelly Finkle, Wilder’s co-manager, Wilder isn’t happy about the postponement. He told Finkle, “Again now, he did wrong and I’m the one being penalised”. Wilder has been stoic ahead of the trilogy, choosing to stay completely silent throughout the Wilder/Fury 3 press conference, sitting with his headphones on the entire time and refusing to answer any questions put to him.
History
The trilogy between Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder is highly anticipated, despite it not being the fight that many people wanted. Many (especially in Britain) wanted to see a ‘Battle of Britain’, between Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua for all the belts. Joshua holds three of the belts, with Fury holding one, the WBC belt, which is arguably the most prestigious. This fight never came to fruition, however, with Wilder and Fury signing for a third fight and Joshua signing to fight former cruiserweight king, Oleksandr Usyk in a September clash.
Wilder/Fury clashed in a December 2018 in an instant classic. Despite seemingly dominating throughout, Tyson Fury was dropped twice. After a flash knockdown in the 9th, Fury was seemingly knocked out cold in the 12th round. Impressively and to the surprise of every single person watching the fight, especially Wilder, Fury rose from the depths of a vicious knockout to finish the fight. No one expected him to get up, but he did, finishing the fight and arguably winning. It was, however, ruled a split draw.
Their second fight was far more decisive. Fury had changed teams, promising to fight on the front foot, bring it to Wilder and knock him out. He was certainly true to his word. He knocked Wilder down in the 3rd, 5th and stopped him in the 7th. Domination by the Brit, leading to the third fight being slated.
Alternative Opponents
Matchroom’s promoter, Eddie Hearn has offered the services of one of the worlds top heavyweights, Dillian Whyte. Whyte is coming off a redemption victory against, Alexander Povetkin in their rematch back in March. Whyte constantly called out Wilder when the American was the WBC champion, having being highly ranked with the organisation for a number of years. He is currently the WBC interim world heavyweight champion, but as we know in boxing, belts mean very little.
Spoke to @DillianWhyte – he is due to fight end of August but ready to jump in July 24 v Wilder 😎
— Eddie Hearn (@EddieHearn) July 8, 2021
Will the fight between Wilder and Whyte finally take place? Unfortunately not, as the trilogy between Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder has been rescheduled already, so Whyte will have to wait.
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