TYSON FURY and Deontay Wilder are set to fight for a third time on July 18 in Las Vegas.
Wilder, 34, officially invoked his immediate rematch clause on the weekend having lost his belt to Fury, 31, in a one-sided seven round beating at the end of February.
Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury are set to fight for a third time on July 18Credit: Reuters
Fury’s US promoter Bob Arum revealed the July date is favoured by both sides with the trilogy again taking place at the MGM Grand, the scene of the Bronze Bomber’s first loss.
Arum told ESPN: “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.
“It’s after the basketball playoffs, baseball is in the middle of the season and there’s no football. It’s the ideal time.
“The hotel, MGM Grand, also believes it to be an ideal time.”
Fury completely dominated Wilder in their rematch, twice flooring the American before assistant trainer Mark Breland threw in the towel.
Despite the one-sided boxing lesson in Sin City, the Bronze Bomber astonishingly insisted the 45lb ring walk costume he wore before the fight “weakened” his legs and affected his performance.
But the Alabaman has vowed to win back his WBC title in the trilogy, killing any talk he could take ‘step aside’ money to allow Anthony Joshua to face Fury in a historic undisputed decider.
Despite the comprehensive result, veteran Arum was left in no surprise heavy-hitter Wilder fancies a crack at redemption.
He said: “I figured he would do it because I have had enough experience with rematches to know that anything can happen and guys can change their strategy and want the opportunity to [avenge] the loss.”
Wilder is due to go on holiday in Africa this month, but will then return to training camp for the trilogy clash with his co-manager Shelly Finkel confirming they have agreed to a third bout.
Finkel said: “We did exercise it. We want to fight Fury next and we wanted to make sure we sent the letter and that it was done.”
Fury twice dropped Wilder before winning in the seventh roundCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Fury won the WBC and Ring Magazine heavyweight beltsCredit: Reuters
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
