Fury-Wilder III by end of the year, promoter says

U.S. promoter of Tyson Fury is hoping to st a third heavyweight fight between British boxer and Deontay Wilder by end of year, potentially in Chinese enclave of Macau.

Bob Arum told Associated Press that Fury “owes” Wilder a third fight after claiming WBC belt off American with a seventh-round stopp in February. Only n would Fury turn his attention to an all-British fight with Anthony Joshua, WBA, IBF and WBO titleholder, in early 2021.

“We hope to do that fight in vember or December,” Arum, CEO of Top Rank, said of Fury-Wilder III.

“Wher it’s for a full audience or a limited audience in United States or put it on in Macau, which may be open for full arenas as early as vember... you kw, we’re exploring all our options.”

Joshua is also set to fight this year, against mandatory IBF challenger Kubrat Pulev.

“Next year re’ll be this huge fight with Fury and Joshua, that’s way cards turn,” Arum said. “And I agree it will be a massive, massive fight wherever it takes place; U.S., U.K. or someplace elsewhere.”

Fury has said he has been approached to take on Mike Tyson after 53-year-old former undisputed world champion posted workout clips on social media last month, proclaiming “I’m back.”

But Arum thinks y should only ever meet in a “joke” fight for charity.

“If it’s anywhere near serious, I’m t going to be a participant in something that could be really dely,” he told AP. “Mike Tyson was a great fighter, he’s in his 50s w. (He) doesn’t go and fight really seriously a guy who is at top of his game in his 30s.

“That’s t right and body should encour it. If it’s a joke, y go and spar around, who cares? And particularly for charity, that’s great.”

Fury-Wilder II was last fight Arum promoted before enforced shutdown of sport because of coronavirus pandemic.

Arum will use same venue, MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas, to launch live boxing’s comeback in United States on Tuesday.

A six-fight card, helined by WBO fearweight world champion Shakur Stevenson, will kick off a series of twice-weekly events in a hotel ballroom across June and July which will all be std without fans and media, with fight anuncers based remotely.

In arena, fight judges will be pushed back from ir usual ringside position and judicate from a distance of eight feet.

All boxers will have been tested for COVID-19 on arrival and n have ir movement limited to a bubble of block-booked floors of hotel and a separate room where y will train and eat. A dedicated lift will transport fighters between two areas.

y will n be tested again for coronavirus after Monday’s weigh-in.

“It is more than ethical," Arum said of bringing boxing back during a pandemic. "It is something that is a contribution because people are battling this coronavirus, but y still have to le ir lives.

“y still are entitled to enjoyment. thing gives people enjoyment like live sports, wher it’s boxing or football or something like that.”