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Bob Arum, co-promoter of WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury, explains that his fighter has explicitly vowed to never face Deontay Wilder for a third time.
In February 2020, Fury dropped and stopped Wilder in seven rounds to capture the WBC title at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. They fought to a controversial twelve round split draw in December 2018.
Following the rematch, Wilder exercised an immediate rematch clause.
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the third bout was postponed several times.
In the fall, Fury and handlers made it clear that Wilder’s rematch clause had expired.
Wilder would then initiate a legal action to enforce his rematch clause.
The two sides took part in a mediation – and now it’s up to the mediator to make a decision.
However, Arum cautions that Fury has no interest in facing Wilder regardless of what’s decided by the mediator.
Fury has been deeply offended by Wilder’s post-fight allegations.
Several months after their contest, Wilder accused Fury of loading his gloves for the rematch.
Wilder also claimed that his drinking water may have been spiked and even alleged that his former co-trainer, Mark Breland, was a double-agent.
Arum is not worried about the mediator forcing Fury’s hand to take part in a third fight.
“There’s no mediation. I mean, there has been over Christmas, and New Year, there was mediation. I don’t know, maybe the mediator will be able to solve the situation, but we got a real problem because Tyson Fury has said to me and the mediator, ‘Not today, not tomorrow, and not ever’ will he ever fight Wilder after what Wilder said to him,” Arum told Barbershop Conversations.
“He [Fury] regards is not only as a slur against him but against the Gypsy nation.”
Fury’s handlers are in serious negotiations to finalize a two-fight series with WBO, IBF, WBA, IBO heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua. If a deal is reached, the first contest would take place in May or June.