WBN has exclusively been informed by Top Rank boss and Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum that Deontay Wilder v Tyson Fury will be a three-fight saga.
Speaking to Arum in an interview ahead of Fury’s clash with Tom Schwarz in Las Vegas, the 87 year-old answered questions regarding the heavyweight super-fights.
On Wilder taking the decision to reveal a return fight was on, Arum refused to look past Schwarz initially.
“Wilder v Fury II is going to happen. It will be a terrific fight,” Arum exclusively told World Boxing News. “The first fight was terrific. This fight will be even better.
“But no jumping. Anything can happen to Fury, although I don’t think it will, that happened to Anthony Joshua.”
Asked whether three bouts were on the cards for Wilder and Fury, Arum replied: “Yes, I can assure you of yes.
“There are a lot of good heavyweights who have had trilogies. This would be a trilogy.”
If Wilder and Fury each win one in the second and third, Arum was quizzed as to whether there could even be a fourth fight. He answered: “We’ve had great trilogies in the past. Ali v Frazier. Ali v Norton. They were all trilogies, not four fights.”
Going further, Arum revealed a purse split agreement is in place for the final encounter in the saga.
“The percentages will change, as in the winner would get more on that third fight, than the loser. It’s all based on who wins the second fight.”
WILDER V FURY / JOSHUA
Arum’s confirmation effectively rules out any chance of Fury facing British rival Anthony Joshua in the near future.
Sceptical the all-UK battle would sell in the United States, where Fury is now set to build himself up, Arum says Joshua’s name is tarnished.
“Anthony Joshua has no reputation in America. He got knocked out by Andy Ruiz, that says it all.
“If you put Joshua in with Wilder or Fury in the United States, it wouldn’t sell at all.
“Nobody knew Joshua before. I mean DAZN, for all the money they paid him, they got very few new subscribers from the fight.
“Who the f*** is going to pay to see that fight?”
Phil Jay is Editor of World Boxing News. Follow on Twitter @PhilDJay
