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Home » EXCLUSIVE: Bob Arum reveals why Wilder v Fury plans are only tentative

EXCLUSIVE: Bob Arum reveals why Wilder v Fury plans are only tentative

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Top Rank promoter Bob Arum is not getting carried away with talk of a three-fight saga between Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury.

Ahead of Fury’s Las Vegas debut on Saturday night, lots of discussions have been steered towards the Wilder rematch in early 2020.

As WBN revealed, Arum has a blueprint in place for a trilogy of fights between Wilder and Fury in the future.

But asked directly whether contracts were signed and sealed, as Deontay Wilder had stated prior to Anthony Joshua’s fight with Andy Ruiz Jr., Arum was reluctant to look past Fury’s forthcoming opponent Tom Schwarz on June 15.

“No jumping. Anything can happen to Fury, although I don’t think it will, that happened to Joshua,” Arum exclusively told World Boxing News.

“He’s fighting Schwarz. And suddenly because they haven’t heard of Schwarz, they’re saying he doesn’t have much of a chance.

“But Schwarz is undefeated. He’s a big, strong German kid. He was in my office the other day. He thinks he has a hell of a shot to win.

“So I don’t want to talk about Wilder or anything else until we get through this Schwarz fight.”

Quizzed on whether Fury might fight again in August and October before Wilder, Arum replied: “All those plans are tentative plans. Right now, the only plan is to beat Schwarz.

“Again, if you think it’s a walk in the park, you probably thought Ruiz was a walk in the park for Joshua.”

Further down the line into his comeback, Arum believes Fury now has a far better chance of beating Wilder after their draw in December.

“I like my guy’s chances. Because Fury was still in the process of losing weight when he fought Wilder the first time,” he explained. “Now he looks like a basketball player. He’s slim and muscular. He’s really in great shape.”


DREAM

Fury has looked ice cool in the build-up to the Schwarz fight. The outing also represents the first of his mammoth deal with ESPN.

An expected win for Fury will keep the ball rolling on those discussions with Wilder. It also will allow fans to dream of what may be to come in the second installment.

Wilder remains the favorite, although many see Fury coming out on top – as long as he can remain on his feet.

Schwarz poses little threat on paper. But try telling that to Joshua after his experience with Ruiz Jr. on June 1st.

Phil Jay is Editor of World Boxing News. Follow on Twitter @PhilDJay