Wilder-Fury III Reportedly Delayed Until The End Of 2020

Due to the coronavirus, an already-delayed trilogy bout between Deonay Wilder and Tyson Fury will be forced to be moved again.

Top Rank’s Bob Arum told Sports Illustrated’s Chris Mannix that the fight will most likely take place around November or December. The bout had an original plan for around July before the pandemic had it be switched around to October 3.

Bob Arum told @SInow he informed Tyson Fury that a third fight between Fury and Deontay Wilder would not take place until "November/December" at the earliest. Gate for Fury-Wilder II accounted for $17 million of the total revenue.

— Chris Mannix (@SIChrisMannix) April 28, 2020

The two fought in February in a rematch from their 2018 bout that ended in a draw. In the original fight, Fury survived a twelfth-round knockdown. This time around, Wilder (42-1-1) struggled against Fury (30-0-1). Wilder was knocked down twice and was bleeding from around his ears. In the seventh, Wilder’s team threw in the towel, giving Fury the win via TKO.

The second fight between the two ended up producing 800,000 North American PPV buys. That would be the best heavyweight title viewing since Mike Tyson v. Lennox Lewis in 2002, which drew over 1.97 million. The first fight generated 325,000 buys. Wilder immediately exercised his rematch clause, looking to reclaim his WBC Heavyweight Title from the lineal champion in Fury.

Several events have been postponed due to the coronavirus. With Wilder undergoing biceps surgery, the extended delay could give him time to heal. The winner is expected to face off against Anthony Joshua. Stay tuned as more information should be revealed regarding the trilogy bout.