Fury vs. Wilder Trilogy Fight Delayed Until November or December, Says Bob Arum

Boxing fans are going to have to wait for the third fight in the Tyson Fury vs. Deontay Wilder trilogy.  

Boxing promoter Bob Arum told Chris Mannix of Sports Illustrated that the fight was being pushed back until November or December, likely because of the COVID-19 pandemic:

The two fighters first met in Dec. 2018, with the fight resulting in a draw. That was a controversial result, as both fighters felt they had won. Wilder cited his two knockdowns of Fury in his post-fight comments.

"I think with the two knockdowns, I definitely won the fight," he said at the time, per boxing writer Dan Rafael. "We poured our hearts out tonight. We're both warriors, but with those two drops, I think I won the fight."

Fury, who landed more punches (84-71) and a higher percentage of his punches (26 percent to 17 percent), made his own case for why he won.

"I got knocked down twice, but I still believe I won that fight," he said. "I'm being a total professional here. I went to Germany to fight [Wladimir] Klitschko, and I went to America to fight Deontay Wilder. God bless America. The 'Gypsy King' has returned. That man is a fearsome puncher, and I was able to avoid that. The world knows I won the fight."

The rematch in Feb. 2020 didn't have the same level of drama, with Fury winning via seventh-round TKO. After that convincing victory, Fury told Michael Benson of TalkSport that he was surprised Wilder signed off on the third match:

"Yeah, I was surprised because it was a one-sided fight. He didn't win a second of that second fight, but in this game it’s a short game and a short career, and there's an old saying—'We've gotta make hay while the sun shines.' And for Deontay Wilder at the age of 34, how many big fights out there are left for him after a domination like he had? So I understand where he's coming from. I understand that he has probably a lot of bills to pay."

Wilder responded by telling Kenneth Bouhairie and Mike Rosenthal of The PBC Podcast that there was never any doubt he'd take the fight (h/t Keith Idec of Boxing Scene):

"No one should be surprised. I am who I am. I'm Deontay 'The Bronze Bomber' Wilder, you know, and nothing's gonna change about that. Why [would] I not want it? You know, like I said, at this moment in time, you know, we're just sitting back. It's gonna be a time and place where I'm ready to come out. It’s gonna be a time and place where I say what I need to say.

"You know, but looking at the fight, he know that wasn't me, I know that wasn't me and the people in boxing, everyone know that wasn't the real Deontay Wilder. Something was wrong with him, and you know, we will show."

The much-anticipated third fight was originally scheduled for July 18 but was pushed back because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Arum had expressed hope that the fight could take place at some point in October.

"Boxing is not isolated. It's part of what's happening in the world," Arum said in March, per Rafael. "So possibly the fight will be in early October."

Now it sounds as though the fight will be pushed at least another month or two.