Tyson Fury vs. Deontay Wilder III is all but set.
The heavyweight rivals have agreed to terms on a third fight in Las Vegas, according to multiple reports. The tentative date is July 24 but Aug. 14 reportedly also is a possibility.
The news comes only three days after an arbitrator ruled that a rematch clause in the contract for Fury-Wilder II is binding, which spoiled plans for Fury to fight fellow Briton Anthony Joshua for the undisputed championship on Aug. 14 in Saudi Arabia.
Bob Arum, Fury’s co-promoter, expects contracts to be signed in the next few days. He told ESPN that Fury, the WBC titleholder, will get the lion’s share of a 60-40 purse split.
Arum told BoxingScene.com that T-Mobile Arena, MGM Grand Garden Arena and Allegiant Stadium are all possible venues for the fight. Arum had said earlier that he reserved the stadium – home to the NFL’s Raiders – on July 24.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nWY3S2v773Y
“We’re finishing the paperwork,” Arum said Thursday, according to BoxingScene. “July 24th is the working date. Hopefully, we can get it done today. All of the terms are spelled out in that old rematch clause that we had in the original [two-fight] deal.
“There was very little work to do, almost nothing. It was a two-page document.”
Fury hasn’t said much following the arbitrator’s ruling but he did take a shot at both Wilder and Joshua Tuesday on Twitter.
“I’m smoke Wilder first then you will get yours,” he tweeted to Joshua.
Fury (30-0-1, 21 KOs) knocked out Wilder (42-1-1, 41 KOs) in seven rounds to take Wilder’s heavyweight title in February of last year, the last time either of them was in the ring. They fought to a draw in 2018.
Meanwhile, Joshua, who holds three of the four major titles, is in talks to defend them against mandatory challenger Oleksandr Usyk. Joshua has said he wants to fight this summer.
Fury and Joshua could meet late this year if they win their interim fights.
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