Fury-Wilder III Postponed

The running theme in sports at the moment is postponements, the most recent event to fall victim to a rescheduling is the summer rematch between Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder. TopRank Boxing Promoter Bob Arum told ESPN yesterday that the fight would be moved back until at least October.

Fury and Wilder fought to a draw in December of 2018, Fury then decisively won a rematch in February of 2020. Wilder was quick to trigger his rematch clause and the two heavyweights were scheduled to fight again on July 18. This fight has been postponed due to the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak.

Arum stated the uncertainty of the status of the MGM Grand, the scheduled venue for the fight, and the uncertainty of the Nevada State Athletic Commission as the primary reasons for the postponement. The MGM Grand is currently closed and the Nevada State Athletic Commission has cancelled all combat sports in the state for the time being.

Fury had a large contingent of British fans at the February fight and the current international travel restrictions add another complication to the completion of the trilogy.

Taking all the complications into account it only made sense to postpone the fight in order to maximize the financial gain for the promoters, boxers, venue and television networks involved.