Bob Arum, Tyson Fury’s co-promoter, said his fighter’s immediate future isn’t complicated.
If Kubrat Pulev, who is also handled by Arum, beats Anthony Joshua on Dec. 12, then Fury will face Deontay Wilder a third time probably in late February. If Joshua defeats Pulev, then Fury will face Joshua in an all-England showdown around the same time.
“It’s very easy. It’s not complicated at all,” Arum said in an iFL TV video.
Fury, who holds one of the heavyweight titles, had given up on a third fight with Wilder after the fight was pushed back multiple times and decided to face Agit Kabayel on Dec. 5 in the U.K., although the fight wasn’t finalized.
However, he announced on social media Sunday that he was scrapping the fight. Why? The money just wasn’t there amid the coronavirus pandemic, Arum said.
That left Fury’s future up in the air again. And the only two opponents who can generate the kind of money the elite heavyweights command are Wilder and Joshua.
“I think Tyson realized he wasn’t going to get the money he’s used to getting so he decided not to do the [Kabayel] fight,” Arum said. “I’ve been giving everybody the word: Wait for the Pulev-Joshua fight. If Pulev wins the fight, there’s no Joshua because Eddie [Hearn] has a rematch clause. That takes care of … a good part of next year for Joshua.
“That leaves Wilder as the best guy [for Fury]. If Pulev beats Joshua, we’ll talk to Fury about doing the Wilder fight probably at the end of February. Hopefully, if the pandemic is under control, we’ll at least be able to put the fight … in Allegiant Stadium [in Las Vegas]. … We’ll put 15,000 to 20,000 people in a 75,000-seat stadium, including the floor seats.
“Again, everyone hold off. It’s good and well for Fury to say he wants to fight Joshua. Who knows if Joshua will be around after he fights my guy Pulev?”
And if Joshua beats Pulev?
“Then I’m sure Fury will want to go right into a Joshua fight,” Arum said. “… That will knock Wilder out [of the picture].”
One other factor could complicate things, it seems: Wilder is pursuing arbitration to force Fury to honor a rematch clause in the contract for their second fight, which Fury won by knockout in February.
Arum doesn’t seem the slightest bit concerned about that element of the situation. He suggests that Wilder’s representatives wait to see what happens in the Pulev-Joshua fight. Once again, if Pulev wins, there would be no need to seek arbitration. And if Joshua wins, well, Arum says Wilder and Co. will end up on the wrong side of the arbitrator’s ruling.
“They’re trying to interpret the contract to say that Fury is still obligated to fight Wilder,” Arum said. “I assure you that’s not the case. The contract is clear. Do they have the right to bring it to arbitration? Yes. The judge in arbitration is known to everyone in boxing. He’s an honest, up-right guy. I’m confident in the result.
“It may not be necessary. That’s my point. If there’s no Joshua, why wouldn’t Fury want to do a third fight with Wilder?”
Like Arum said: not complicated.
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