MONEY TALKS
Tyson Fury rematch with Deontay Wilder OFF after Gypsy King signs £80m US deal with rival promoter Top Rank
The WBC had ordered a rematch to take place following their controversial draw in December
TYSON FURY has all-but killed off his eagerly-anticipated rematch with Deontay Wilder after signing an £80million deal with Top Rank.
The Brit heavyweight was in talks to face the Bronze Bomber following their controversial split decision draw in December last year.
5
But talks have broken down after Fury joined a co-promotional deal with US company Top Rank, who have a TV deal with ESPN.
It means he and Wilder - who is signed with Showtime - will now not fight in their proposed May 18 clash.
While the former unified world champion has also agreed a new multi-year deal with Frank Warren and BT Sport.
Fury said of the groundbreaking deal: "I’m delighted that Frank and Queensberry Promotions have teamed up with Top Rank to promote my fights in America."
Boxing promoter Frank Warren announces Tyson Fury deal with ESPN and BT Sport at live press conference
5
5
While also adding: "I cannot remember being in better shape, I trained right through Christmas and New Year, I am in a training habit that keeps me well, and I get paid to do it, it’s a nice job.
"People will have to come to the Tyson Fury show now because I have my own platform. I am not the opponent anymore. They have to come to me."
Speaking of the Wilder rematch, he said: "I am happy with whatever happens, whatever cards I am dealt. I am happy with everything.
“We are in a very dangerous sport, more than winning and losing, going home healthy is all that matters.
5
LATEST BOXING NEWS
"Wilder is still a useless big dosser, they messed my record with a big blue tick but I cannot complain because I am out of trouble."
Hall of Famer Warren said: "Tyson Fury and Queensbury have signed along-term deal with ESPN. They will be his exclusive broadcaster in the states with three million subscribers."
He added: "Tyson wants the (Wilder) rematch but Showtime is not the only game in town. We have to sit down and try to get it over the line.
"We want Tyson out asap, we will get him out, that’s what he’s training for, he wants to be a big star.
"This ESPN situation is one of the biggest things to happen to a British sportsman.
"Three million viewers is huge for a British fighter. His next fight looks like being back in America."
Bob Arum - head of Top Rank - said of Fury: "He is a generational heavyweight talent at the peak of his powers.
"We also look forward to our increasing relationship with MTK Global, which represents so many world-class fighters."
Arum previously labelled Wilder's adviser Al Haymon as a cancer and difficult to work with.
He said: "He won’t co-operate with anyone, he's cancer on the business. Just look at his actions over the last three years.
"He won’t deal with anybody, he won’t make fights with anybody, he’d rather sacrifice business and deprive his fighters of millions to keep everything close to his vest like a miser."
Fury is expected to have at least three bouts a year as a result of his new deal, with an announcement on his next fight date to be pencilled in next week.
5
Warren said: "I spoke to Bob Arum last night and he says he will fight in May, we will work on that and will have a date nailed down maybe next week.
"This was a top secret and it will be a big shock to Deontay Wilder and his team today."
A fight against Anthony Joshua in the future is also in jeopardy, with the Olympic gold medallist signed to Matchroom, who have a deal with Sky Sports.
Speaking on whether he will ever face AJ, Fury said: "I can only fight who is available and these big fights usually happen. I will not cry about it when I am an old multi-millionaire. I will not cry about fights that don’t happen.
“There are expectations and deliverance, there are lots of big names. My expectation is colossal but the deliverance might be different."
Tyson Fury challenges Jarrell Miller to a spar in old footage as the American will take on Anthony Joshua in New York
Topics