WBC and lineal heavyweight champion Tyson Fury has made a last-minute plea to U.S. President Joe Biden to lift America's travel ban and allow UK fans to attend Saturday’s trilogy fight against Deontay Wilder.
America currently has a travel ban on British citizens traveling directly from the UK, and there doesn't seem to be any signs of this restriction being lifted anytime soon.
Fury was hoping his fans could be granted a special exemption so they could snap up any remaining tickets at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas or invade the strip and watch the fight in numerous bars.
Speaking to the Daily Mail, Fury wants fans to create a similar atmosphere to his second fight with Wilder if they are allowed to travel.
"I’ve still got my fingers crossed that at the last minute, President Biden will open the borders to my supporters." Fury said. "I’ve been putting the pressure on for the Brits to be allowed to invade Las Vegas again and make it like my second fight with Wilder."
Swathes of British fans made the journey to Las Vegas for Wilder vs. Fury 2 and celebrated long into the night following Fury's seventh-round stoppage win 20 months ago. While there may not be an army of Brits descending on Las Vegas for another explosive night of heavyweight boxing, the WBC champion believes his American fans will back him after staging his last four fights in the U.S.
"This trilogy fight is huge," Fury said. "The first in the heavyweights since Evander Holyfield and Riddick Bowe, with only Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier before that in modern times. To hold one of the biggest sports events of recent years without the Brits here is crazy." Fury stated.
Travel restrictions between the UK and the U.S. are set to be eased on November 1, almost a month after Fury vs. Wilder 3 has taken place.