Fury-Wilder rematch on hold for now

Well, about that Wilder-Fury Sequel.

In a story reported by Dan Rafael of ESPN, Top Rank Boxing has notified the people at both the WBC and Deontay Wilder camps that Tyson Fury has turned down an opportunity at gaining another title. And, instead he will fight a different opponent in May or June and then pursue the highly anticipated heavyweight title rematch with Wilder later on in the fall of this year, per a close source with knowledge of the situation told ESPN on Tuesday.

A bid for the bout was been postponed at least twice and had until Wednesday night to inform the WBC to clarify the current state and status of their talks and negotiations for an immediate rematch. After Fury surprisingly signed with Top Rank last week, a huge cloud of doubt was placed upon if this rematch would take place. This announcement, squashes the plans that both sides were originally had for a scheduled rematch to their December draw off the table.

The rematch, were it to have come to fruition, was being set tentatively planned for either an April 27 or May 18 date with the location being in New York or Las Vegas for the fight.

BREAKING NEWS: @BronzeBomber vs @Tyson_Fury is officially not happening next. The @WBCBoxing has received communications as our process and while Wilder confirmed its willingness to fight the rematch, Fury will take on another fight with expectations to do rematch at a later date pic.twitter.com/vCkXwsQqCd

— World Boxing Council (@WBCBoxing) February 26, 2019

Top Rank as well has been trying to sign Wilder to a multi-fight agreement that would include the rematch on the heels of Wilder proclaiming that he is a “free agent” as he mentioned in an interview he did with “The Boxing Voice” last week.

“(Fury signing with ESPN/BT Sport) don’t really affect me. If he wants to fight (the rematch), then he’s gonna fight. If not, then we move on to the next one. We have enough guys in the (PBC) stable that we can fight for the next two years… the great thing is, I can maneuver around and do whatever I want. The rematch is still on the table for him. If he wants it, he wants it. If not, then may God be with him.” said Wilder in the interview.

I will fight anyone in world boxing,
Don’t use boxing politics as an excuse not to challenge me the lineal heavyweight champ! @BronzeBomber @espn @frankwarren_tv @BobArum

— TYSON FURY (@Tyson_Fury) February 22, 2019