Tyson Fury’s promoter Frank Warren said that there is absolutely no chance of a trilogy fight between Fury and Deontay Wilder behind closed doors.
The pair was scheduled to fight for a third and probably last time this summer, but the coronavirus outbreak canceled the fight. Initially, it was reported by Warren that a fight of such a magnitude will go down in October or November.
As restrictions all over the world are starting to loosen up, the big sporting events will eventually also come back, but without fans in attendance. The British Boxing Board of Control is hoping to resume professional boxing in July, but with strict conditions and no spectators.
“There’s not going to be big-name fighters out there,” Warren told the BBC of the first fights likely after the lockdown.
“There is no chance of Fury v Wilder behind closed doors.”
Promoter Bob Arum said last month a delay could be even longer because of the importance of gate receipts.
“The fans in the last fight put in almost $17m into the coffers in the purchase of tickets… how do you replace that $17m?,” he said in a Top Rank Boxing interview.
“I mean, you don’t. A Fury-Wilder fight might have to wait a couple more months until we can go back to full spectators.”
BBBofC proposals for July, which are still being discussed with promoters, include boxers having to wear face masks during ring walks and being banned from using a spit bucket in between rounds.
Former WBA lightweight champion Anthony Crolla told the BBC it would be impossible to follow such rules to the letter.
“A boxer can’t spit in a bucket? What if that fighter has a mouthful of blood?,” he asked.
Source: www.rte.ie
