TYSON FURY is set to face Deontay Wilder for the third time on July 18 and some are tipping Conor McGregor to add to a mega fight week with a match-up of his own.
After the Gypsy King downed his rival in the eighth round of their Las Vegas rematch, they are set to do it all again in four months’ time.
Fury saw off Wilder in expert fashion last monthCredit: Reuters
McGregor’s next opponent has not yet been named after he beat Donald CerroneCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Although fans were desperate for Fury to take on Anthony Joshua in a heavyweight unification bout, Wilder possessed a trilogy clause in his contract with the Brit.
That has now been activated with the date and venue also settled on.
Fury’s US promoter Bob Arum explained the decision earlier in the week, saying: “We realised that date was the favourite of both ESPN and Fox because it comes at a dead time in sports, which is good for the fight.”
The under-construction Allegiant Stadium had been eyed as a potential venue for a mega 70,000-seater event but Sin City’s MGM Grand is again due to host the boxers.
Speaking to talkSPORT, promoter Frank Warren described the location as already set in the contract.
He said: “It’s contracted to take place in the States. That is in the contract and set in stone unless anyone agrees differently.
“But at the moment it is due to take place in the US.
“It will take place by the end of June/early July – no later than that.”
CON AND GET IT
As for McGregor’s next fight, there is some doubt about who the Irishman will face.
ESPN, via Express, report on talks between his camp and Justin Gaethje’s – a claim strongly denied by the American’s manager.
Ali Abdelaziz tweeted: “This rumour about Gaethje fighting vs McGregor is absolutely false.
“He had the opportunity to fight him already instead of cowboy but he didn’t. Justin is the number one contender and like Khabib said: Conor needs to win 10 fights.”
A rematch with Khabib Nurmagomedov has also been touted but UFC chief Dana White believes McGregor will not wait for the Russian.
Having downed Donald Cerrone in just one round when making his comeback to the Octagon, the 31-year-old is expected to make use of his momentum and tie up a bout sooner rather than later.
Thus some reporters have eyed July 11 as one option, which is the expected date of UFC 252.
That event, known as International Fight Week, could kick off a mega showcase for fight fans and is also set to take place in Vegas.
Speaking on who McGregor may face next, White noted: “I don’t know if Conor wants to wait for [Khabib]. We’ll see what happens. Conor might not wait.
“First of all, Conor McGregor does not handpick his opponents. Conor McGregor has fought anybody that we have asked him to fight and who has been available.
“I mean guys have pulled out on Conor two or three times, Conor literally went to the gym and said ‘Tell me who I am fighting’.”
Conor McGregor next in line for UFC title but ‘might not wait’ for Khabib amid talks Irishman will fight Justin Gaethje
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
