Day after bloody blow, Wilder gets deadline to activate rematch clause vs Fury

Deontay Wilder now has 30 days to exercise his right to an immediate encore encounter for a trilogy fight with Tyson Fury, following his Las Vegas beating.

Wilder was left battered and bruised by Fury, who pulled off an all-time classic performance to be crowned heavyweight champion of the world in emphatic style.

Now, all talk has turned to whether a trilogy fight will be on the cards, given Fury so strongly dominated in the MGM Grand Arena.

As part of the bi-lateral rematch clause Wilder has the 30-day window to state his intention for a trilogy which would take place as a headline event in the summer.

Such was Fury’s prowess inside the ring, however, that many are now speculating that the ‘Gypsy King’ should now meet his long-time foe Anthony Joshua.

The two Brits have exchanged fiery words for many months, and now appear primed to do battle on the biggest stage of all.

In the immediate aftermath of the fight, Eddie Hearn took to social media to play down any further talk of Wilder getting a third shot, instead concentrating on the fight everyone now wants to see.

Writing on Instagram, along with a mocked-up image of Fury facing Joshua, Hearn said: ‘Brilliant performance from Fury – all the belts are in the UK, no one wants Fury v Wilder 3 let’s go straight to AJ v Fury!’ 

Joshua holds the WBA, IBF, WBO and IBO titles, meaning a clash with Fury would place all heavyweight belts in existence on the line.

Hearn said on TalkSport: ‘What a time for British boxing. To have one world heavyweight champion would be great but to have two with all the belts, we will never see it again.

‘I have said and I will make this clear, we have to make this fight happen. We will never get the chance for two Brits to fight for an undisputed heavyweight world championship.

‘I will promise you we will do everything we can to make this fight happen.

‘The first thing is that Wilder has the rematch clause. I don’t think anyone wants to see a third fight, it was that conclusive, but we will see if he wants to exercise that. I probably expect Wilder (to take the rematch). I don’t see where else he has to go.

‘Our mandatory challenger Kubrat Pulev is also promoted by Bob Arum, Tyson Fury’s promoter, so there is a very easy manoeuvre there if Wilder doesn’t want the rematch to go straight into this undisputed fight in the summer. That’s what we have to push for initially.’

Wilder’s promoter however, Shelly Finkel, insists the two titans will almost certainly be sharing the ring once more.

‘Deontay will take the time but you will see these guys in the ring again,’ said Finkel in the aftermath of his man’s defeat.

‘I have told him many times, you have the rematch for a reason no matter what.’

Leave a Reply