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Home » WORLD EXCLUSIVE: Wilder vs Fury II not dead despite huge US TV deal

WORLD EXCLUSIVE: Wilder vs Fury II not dead despite huge US TV deal

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World Boxing News has garnered an initial reaction from Deontay Wilder’s camp to the recent astonishing announcement regarding Tyson Fury.

After committing his United States future to Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum, Fury confirmed a huge £80 million deal to appear on ESPN.

The former heavyweight king will work alongside Frank Warren (UK) and Arum to capitalize on his massive US reputation.

This outcome follows one of the best top division battles for some years between Wilder and Fury back in December.

Wilder and Fury have been locked in talks ever since that superb draw in Los Angeles. Even a World Boxing Council purse bid got called off as both sides secured another deal.

The left-field Fury / Top Rank confirmation on Monday had led to some speculation the return would now crumble. Wilder’s co-manager, Shelly Finkel, says not so fast.

Finkel intends to continue negotiations. As a result, the New Yorker is keen to make sure the second fight happens next.

Wilder Finkel

“No, not so. The Top Rank / ESPN deal doesn’t necessarily mean the Deontay Wilder v Tyson Fury rematch won’t happen,” Finkel exclusively told World Boxing News.

“Wilder v Fury II is the fight we want to make. I will discuss with Frank Warren to make the fight happen,” he added.

Naming the five possible scenarios which could now unfold, WBN believes the most logical option would be for ESPN and Wilder’s broadcasters at Showtime to share the US rights.

In short, those include:

A) Wilder v Fury is OFF

B) Purse bid re-ignited

C) Wilder fights on ESPN PPV

D) Fury fights on Showtime PPV again

E) Joint promotion

Both sides will reveal more soon as Fury plans at least two fights in America this year. May 18th got earmarked initially, although that may now change due to the timescale.

Team Wilder will continue to pursue Fury for the foreseeable future as other alternatives are few and far between.

Should Fury move in a different direction, Dominic Breazeale or Dillian Whyte could then come into play.

Breazeale and Whyte were ordered to battle for the interim title by the WBC. But intervention by Wilder would put off a potential deal.

The most likely outcome would be for Wilder to fight Breazeale rather than Whyte. Above all, the Fury encounter is by far the most lucrative.

With time running out on his career, Wilder should do all he can to ensure Fury goes ahead in any way possible.

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