Tyson Fury’s co-promoter Bob Arum has criticised Deontay Wilder’s manager Shelly Finkel and suggested he had not read the contract for the fight between the two boxers.
It is Fury and his camp’s opinion that the WBC heavyweight champion is no longer obliged to offer another rematch to complete an expected trilogy.
The match-up had been expected to happen Dec. 19 after it was rearranged for a third time due to the coronavirus pandemic. But that date also fell through, and Fury’s other promoter, Frank Warren, and the boxer himself have announced that he will now fight on Dec. 5 instead against an opponent to be determined. Two names that have now been mentioned for Fury's next are Carlos Takam and Agit Kabayel.
Despite claims that the rematch clause has now expired, Finkel has stated that the Bronze Bomber still expects to fight Fury for the third time.
However, speaking to iFL TV, Arum played down Wilder’s chances of a new fight:
“Fury has Robert Davis as his lawyer in the UK. He's read the contract," Arum said. "The contract has expired. It's clear. Shelly can say what he wants.
“You know the thing that's crazy about it is, the last time I talked to Shelly Finkel was the night of the fight after Wilder had been beat. And I haven't talked to him since.
“Shelly hides in the bushes and then when something that he sees as being averse to his fighter or himself happens, then he comes out and makes statements.
“I am sure, I am absolutely sure, not knowing, but I think Shelly Finkel has never read the contract.”
If Fury defeats his next opponent in December, he is expected to quickly finalise at least one 2021 fight with Anthony Joshua. Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn has suggested that should that fight get the go-ahead, then there is little chance of Fury ever agreeing to another fight with Wilder.