'Optimism' Over Tyson Fury Vs Deontay Wilder Trilogy Fight December Date

Bob Arum has said that he is 'optimistic' that Tyson Fury vs Deontay Wilder III will happen on December 19th at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.

The two heavyweights have shared the ring twice, in December 2018 and February 2020, with a draw in the first, and they look certain to meet a third time after Wilder activated his release clause, following Fury's knockout win in February.

Originally that third fight should have happened in the summer but the Covid-19 pandemic obviously got in the way. Now Arum has confirmed that the fight is expected to take place in December.

"That's what we're moving ahead on, on all fronts, with the security, with the virus, and everything," the promoter told ESPN.

"We're talking with everybody here in town, with the Raiders. So we're optimistic that we'll be able to do the event in Nevada, in Las Vegas."

Fury out classed and out boxed Wilder in their second meeting. Image: PA Images

The fight will take place at the Las Vegas Raiders stadium. The Raiders are just about to start their debut season in Vegas, having moved from Oakland after last season.

Their brand new Allegiant Stadium will host its first game on September 21st, when the Raiders face New Orleans Saints, and it can hold up to 72,000 for NFL games.

Arum also revealed that they are hoping to have fans at the fight, although it'll only be 10-15,000 rather than the 72,000 they might have hoped for in normal circumstances.

Fury has previously said he wanted to fight before the end of the year, whether there was a crowd or not, and there has obviously been talk of a unification fight with Anthony Joshua.

Joshua, who holds all the world titles apart from the WBC belt held by Fury, is due to take on IBF mandatory challenger Kubrat Pulev next, with their summer fight also having been delayed.

Joshua won his titles back by beating Andy Ruiz Jr last December. Image: PA Images

The two British world champions do have an agreement in place to face each other next year and the path to that fight happening has been cleared somewhat.

Dillian Whyte was due to face the winner of Fury vs Wilder III but his recent loss to Alexander Povetkin means that there is no mandatory challenger for the winner of the trilogy.

As long as Fury and Joshua come through their next fights without losing we could be in for a huge meeting at some point in 2021.

Topics: Heavyweight boxing, American boxing, Kubrat Pulev, Tyson Fury, Boxing News, Anthony Joshua, Boxing, Bob Arum, Deontay Wilder

Ryan Sidle

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