Tyson Fury’s rematch with Deontay Wilder has been given a summer date, according to promoter Bob Arum.
The two heavyweights will meet for a third time after Wilder invoked his option of a rematch following his defeat to Fury on February 22.
The trilogy clash has been slated for July 18, at the same MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas that hosted last month’s duel. There, in a clash between unbeaten fighters, Fury comprehensively defeated Wilder by
TKO in the seventh round to claim the WBC belt. He had knocked down the American twice en route to the win.
Speaking to ESPN, Top Rank chairman Bob Arum, who co-promotes Fury, confirmed the July 18 slot and added: "Now we will sit down and go through all the details for the fight.
"We realised that date was the favourite of both [broadcasters] ESPN and Fox because it comes at a dead time in sports, which is good for the fight. It's after the basketball play-offs, baseball is in the middle of the season and there's no football. It's the ideal time. The hotel, MGM Grand, also believes it to be an ideal time."
Wilder, whose record now stands at 42-1-1 (41 KOs), had 25-30 days following the second fight to exercise his right to a rematch, with his team sending an official letter to Fury’s camp in the past few days.
Arum said the decision did not come as a shock.
"I figured he would do it because I have had enough experience with rematches to know that anything can happen and guys can change their strategy and want the opportunity to [avenge] the loss," he said.
Wilder and Fury fought for the first time in December 2018, a bout that ended in a controversial draw despite the Brit boxer, the heavyweight lineal champion, largely dominating.
Wilder did knock down his opponent in the 12th round, only for Fury to somehow rise from the canvas. The Englishman remains undefeated from 31 fights, with 30 wins.
