Boxing News: Fury-Wilder 3 Won't Happen Until Next Year, Arum Suggests

The anticipation for the trilogy fight between Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder would indeed have to take a backseat. After Fury's co-promoter Frank Warren said that it is now unlikely that the British will fight Wilder next, Top Rank CEO Bob Arum echoed that statement, claiming that they could not secure a calendar spot for the third fight this year.

Issues with the actual fight date remain to be the main reason the third fight had to be pushed back once again, Arum told ESPN.

It should be noted that about two weeks ago, the veteran boxing executive said that the event was moving off its Dec. 19 schedule at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas as it coincided with a handful of football games.

The event was then targeted to be staged earlier than Dec. 19, but Arum said certain conditions spoiled their plan.

"We couldn't get an appropriate date, until it was next year,” he said.

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the landscape of boxing this year, forcing several fighting superstars to go on an extended hiatus. Fury and Wilder both have not fought since their rematch in February, and their third meeting was supposed to mark their comeback.

But after confirming that the trilogy won’t happen this year, Arum said Fury still wants to push through with a bout even if it’s not against the Bronze Bomber.

“Tyson said, 'No, I want to fight in December,' and so that's what we arranged in England," Arum said, before adding that Wilder’s contract clause for the trilogy has already expired.

Wilder’s camp, on the other hand, dismissed Arum’s claims.

"He's entitled to his opinion, he can think anything he wants.,” Wilder’s representative Shelly Finkel said.

Finkel insisted that Wilder is still looking forward to fighting Fury next. He said the American is keeping himself in tip-top shape as he aims to exact revenge after the Gypsy King handed him his first career loss in the rematch.

"Deontay and I would like to have the next fight, as planned, against Fury. We'll fight him any date, any place," Finkel said.

Fury, who holds the WBC Heavyweight belt, could fight as early as Dec. 5, the ESPN report added. Arum said several fighters under the Top Rank umbrella are being considered to challenge the British champ, including Agit Kabayel (WBC No. 15), Efe Ajagba (WBC No. 14) and Oscar Rivas (WBC No. 8).