Article by Rick Mohamed

Tyson Fury, who is scheduled to fight Anthony Joshua in a heavyweight unification bout Aug. 14 in Saudi Arabia, could promise to fight Deontay Wilder at a later date.

Breaking News: Tyson Fury, the WBC heavyweight champion, has been ordered by a federal arbitrator to fight former champion Deontay Wilder, the man he beat for the title. However, Fury is already scheduled to fight the other heavyweight champion, Anthony Joshua, in a unification battle on Aug. 14 in Saudi Arabia. 

The arbitrator allowed for some flexibility and allow a later date if both parties mutually agree. Fury and Wilder were scheduled to fight the 3rd fight of their series last December in Las Vegas’ Allegiant Stadium, but that deal fell through. 

Wilder filed for the arbitrator, Judge Daniel Weinstein, to make a ruling. Weinstein did rule in Wilder’s favor, but didn’t award him any monetary damages, yet did allow for some flexibility regarding the date. 

Neither Fury nor Wilder have fought since Feb 20, 2020, when Fury pulled off a major upset, thoroughly beating Wilder, whose corner threw in the towel, awarding Fury the title Wilder had held since 2015. Wilder blamed his “heavy costume, Fury’s gloves (which were thoroughly inspected), and his own corner (which resulted in the firing of trainer Mark Breland). 

Wilder has since resurfaced with videos of him training, using newer moves and changing his attack. Through it all, Wilder possesses one of the greatest right hands in boxing history. 

Many believe he’s a one-trick pony who relies on landing that big right hand as the only weapon in his arsenal. He has won almost all of his fights by KO, so they do have a point. 

For his part, Fury showed vast improvement after the first Fury/Wilder fight in 2019, which ended in a draw that kept the title in Wilder’s hands, until the rematch. Fury is seen by many as the top heavyweight in the world, regardless of who he fights. 

Fury showed movement and a willingness to outbox Fury in the rematch, something he hadn’t shown much of before. He’s willing to improve his skill set, something Wilder didn’t seem to have been willing to do. 

The recent videos may prove that Wilder is something he hasn’t been in a few years: hungry. He wants to reinvent himself and win back his title. 

To get Wilder to step aside and let the Joshua fight continue as scheduled, Fury may have to pay Wilder a substantial “step aside” fee, which shouldn’t be a problem: the Fury vs. Joshua site fee garnered around $155 million, a record for fights. LETSGOCHAMP

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