The judgment of US mediation, delivered by Daniel Weinstein, has ordered Tyson Fury to face Deontay Wilder before September 15.

While this may seem surprising, this judgement is not entirely out of place. Back in late 2019, Fury and Wilder signed a two-match contract, meaning that the loser of the first fight can request a second fight. Fury and Wilder then met on the ring in February where Fury finished Wilder in the seventh round. Defeating Wilder meant Fury got the WBC Heavyweight title. Wilder asked for a second fight, as stated in the contract. But then the lockdown came and it was hard to settle on a date. Eventually, Fury lost interest and said he would not be fighting Wilder again but move on to a unification fight Joshua.

But with the latest ruling, it seems that Wilder would get his fight at last. While the judgement does not affect the August 14 fixture involving Fury and Joshua, it is impossible to think that Fury would be able to take on two fights before September 15. Even if he could, the spacing is not just in his favour. The only possible option is if they pay Wilder to step aside, but that would not come cheap.

Speaking on the issue, Eddie Hearn, who is Joshua’s promoter and the one setting up the August fight, said that he was always sure Wilder would not be a problem; “This negotiation has been going on for three or four months and we were always assured this wouldn’t be a problem. It was a very strange decision from the arbitrator, to say the least, but that’s their business. We can’t control that or be involved with that process. As far as I understand it, Fury wants to fight Joshua. Hopefully, they can resolve the issue and we move forward but over to them.” He, however, said that Fury was determined to fight Joshua and promised that his (Joshua’s) camp would have a position by the end of the week.

Written by: Leon Osamor