Anthony Joshua Talks, Arbitrator’s Intervention And Covid Scare: Build-Up To Fury-Wilder III
Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua were on the verge of initiating paperwork for an all-Brit super fight a month ago until an independent arbitrator ruled that Deontay Wilder should be Fury’s mandatory challenger for the WBC heavyweight strap.
AJ and Fury were expected to feature in the biggest fight of the year in Saudi Arabia in the summer of 2021.
Fury’s promoter Bob Arum and AJ’s promoter Eddie Hearn were mulling over the details of the showdown when the arbitrator put everything at a halt.
Fury had to withdraw from the talks and rekindle his rivalry with the Bronze Bomber, leaving behind a grumpy AJ.
Joshua called out Fury on social media for abandoning the fight at the eleventh hour, but the truth is that Fury had no choice after Wilder had exercised his right to the challenge.
.@Tyson_Fury the world now sees you for the fraud you are.
You’ve let boxing down!
You lied to the fans and led them on. Used my name for clout not a fight.
Bring me any championship fighter who can handle their business correctly.
— Anthony Joshua (@anthonyjoshua) May 19, 2021
After losing his strap a year ago and suffering the first defeat of his pro career, Wilder was looking to avenge the TKO loss against the Gypsy King.
When both got down to business and were weeks short of entering the trilogy fight, Fury and other members of his training camp contracted COVID-19.
Both Wilder and Fury did not give any public statement after the fight was put off and scheduled for October 9.
Some boxing fans had accused the Gyspy King of faking his coronavirus test to avoid taking on the Bronze Bomber, but the heavyweight champion scoffed over the statements.
After months of back and forth, Fury and Wilder are finally set to settle the scores at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday night.
Tyson Fury really said 🙅♂️
🕛 Our countdown to #FuryWilder3 continues!
*Fury/Wilder III airs on Oct. 9 in the U.S. pic.twitter.com/8w3fQBaJo9— FIGHT SPORTS (@FIGHTSPORTS) October 8, 2021