Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder have verbally committed to a third fight, reported ESPN, days after an arbitration ruling halted fight talks between Fury and British champion Anthony Joshua.
Following an independent arbitrator ruling on Monday that WBC heavyweight champ Fury must face Wilder, plans for a unification fight between Fury and Joshua were put on hold, said ESPN citing multiple sources.
The Wilder and Fury fight could be held as early as July in Las Vegas, said the American sports broadcaster, adding that August 14 has been set aside as a back-up date.
Boxing promoter Bob Arum said he expects the contracts could be signed in the coming days. Fury would get 60% of the purse with Wilder receiving the lower sum.
The heavyweights fought to a draw in 2018 and Fury earned a TKO victory to win a WBC heavyweight title in 2020.
The arbitrator ruled that Tyson Fury was contractually obligated to give Wilder a rematch, with retired judge Daniel Weinstein upholding a claim lodged by Wilder that Fury must face him in a third fight by September 15.
Though the ruling by the arbitrator is not a formal court order, it will be deemed enforceable by courts if Wilder and Fury are unable to reach agreement.
The ruling came just as Fury announced he had agreed to fight Anthony Joshua on August 14 in Saudi Arabia, where the WBC, WBA, IBF and WBO heavyweight belts will be up for grabs.
