Tyson Fury (30-0-1, 21 KOs) has claimed he is done trying to finalize a date and venue for a trilogy fight with Deontay Wilder (42-1-1, 41 KOs), but it remains to be seen whether the American has a legal right to block his rival's attempt to move on.
Fury-Wilder III would have likely happened by now if not for the COVID-19 pandemic, and even despite lockdown the third encounter nearly landed on Dec. 19 in Las Vegas.
However, when that date fell through, Fury blamed Wilder for the trilogy struggling to be completed and claimed he was moving on to a new opponent, while Fury's promoter Frank Warren said the prolonged negotiations cannot go on forever.
'The Gypsy King' intends to fight current WBA, WBO and IBF titleholder Anthony Joshua (23-1, 21 KOs) in a heavyweight unification superfight in 2021, with the two having already come to financial terms on a two-fight agreement.
But we have yet to hear an official response from the Wilder camp to Fury's most recent quotes, and Phil Jay of World Boxing News reports that the nature of the Fury-Wilder contract makes it unlikely a third bout can just be canceled without the blessing of both parties.
He wrote: "The WBC heavyweight belt holder does what he wants. We all know that. But in light of Al Haymon and Premier Boxing Champions having a history of keeping their word, the prospect of Fury simply saying ‘goodbye’ to the deal in place seems remote.
"If Wilder chooses to do so, Fury is in for a legal world of hurt. ‘The Bronze Bomber’ has every right to stop ‘The Gypsy King’ in his tracks. Unless they can reach an amicable deal, there’s absolutely no way Tyson Fury can avoid a third fight with Deontay Wilder. I repeat, absolutely none.
"Fury will have to ask for permission to break a contract, which states Wilder is entitled to challenge if he loses his green belt.
"The fact that COVID-19 has ravaged the planet and subsequently stopped Wilder from being able to arrange a Las Vegas trilogy is not anybody’s fault. Any plea on this will certainly stand up in court."
Jay went on to explain how Wilder's argument against a third fight with Fury being canceled would work.
"All Wilder has to argue is that the logistics are impossible," he wrote. "Any judge in his or her right mind would favor the American. Fury would have no say.
"Therefore, it’s best for everyone that Fury attempts to work out a deal with Wilder, rather than merely stating he’s ‘moved on.’"
Fury and Wilder fought to a draw in fight one before the Brit took the WBC title from 'The Bronze Bomber' - and his unbeaten record in the process - in the second installment in February.
But while many fans feel the seventh-round stoppage was an emphatic enough conclusion to their rivalry, the contract did contain a rematch clause, which Wilder wasted no time invoking.