The heavyweight title fight the boxing world wasn't expecting became official on Saturday when Tyson Fury signed his portion of the contract to defend his WBC title in a trilogy bout against Deontay Wilder on July 24. The fight is expected to happen in Las Vegas.
Fury made the trek from Miami to Las Vegas to see Josh Taylor become undisputed junior welterweight champion by knocking down Jose Ramirez twice to win by unanimous decision. After signing the contract in the backstage area, Fury let Wilder know how the fight is going to play out.
"Wilder's a p—y, an excuse-maker, and a s--house," Fury said. "Should we do it and put him out of his misery? Put him seriously smashed to bits? Crack his other side of his skull? Give him another shoulder injury? Another biceps injury, a leg injury, a nutsack injury, the whole lot.
"Wilder, contract's signed. You're getting smashed. When I say 'smashed,' I mean 'smash, smash, smash, bang.' You're getting knocked out. End of.
"One round, you're going. I've got your soul, your mojo, everything. I own you."
Fury and Wilder met in December 2018 in what was one of the best fights of that year. The Englishman outboxed Wilder, but "The Bronze Bomber" lived up to his moniker, sending Fury to the canvas twice, including in the 12th and final round to earn a split draw. They met again in February 2020, with Fury dominating from the outset, knocking down Wilder twice to win via seventh-round TKO to capture the WBC title.
A trilogy clash was in the contract for the second fight. Wilder had a biceps injury that delayed a July 2020 meeting. Dec. 19 was broached but didn't happen because of college football. Growing impatient, Fury wanted to move on and felt the contract had lapsed, and he could go on to arrange an undisputed heavyweight title fight with IBF, WBA (super), and WBO champion Anthony Joshua. Wilder invoked his right in the deal to go to arbitration to force a third fight.
The fight appeared to be moving forward to Aug. 14 in Saudi Arabia after Fury agreed to the deal last Sunday. However, the arbitration judge sided with the 2008 Olympic bronze medalist and ordered the third meeting to happen by Sept. 15.