Jump directly to the content

TYSON FURY will have a second tune-up fight after Tom Schwarz on June 15 - pushing any potential rematch with Deontay Wilder toward the end of 2020.

The 30-year-old ex-heavyweight world champion climbed off the deck to earn a heroic draw when the giant duo met on December 1 for the American’s WBC title.

Tyson Fury drew against WBC heavyweight king Deontay Wilder in December
4
Tyson Fury drew against WBC heavyweight king Deontay Wilder in DecemberCredit: AP:Associated Press

The two vowed to re-run the showdown but the Gypsy King penned a mega-money deal with ESPN, killing a repeat as Wilder is backed by rival broadcasters Showtime.

And legendary US promoter Bob Arum, who is taking charge of Fury’s US bouts in partnership with England’s Frank Warren, revealed fans will be kept waiting for a top-level opponent.

He told SunSport: “We will use Fury vs Schwarz to show the public this Tyson Fury personality and then maybe another fight after that.

“Then, when we do another fight between Fury and Wilder, we will shoot for two million or more PPV buys so the two fighters make humongous money.

“Tyson Fury now has ESPN behind him and they are the biggest megaphone in sports. We have the time to build him up now for the US market because they don’t really know him.

“Wilder vs Fury got into around 300,000 homes but the second, if they build Wilder up more with the US public, then we can talk about a super-fight that gets into millions of homes.”

Arum, who worked with just about every major name in the business, believes Fury could take over the US with his larger-than-life personality.

The 87-year-old even believes he could eclipse George Foreman who was a huge fans’ favourite after returning from a 10-year break and winning a second world title aged 45.

He said: “The hottest boxing audience in the world right now is the UK, there is no question about that. But, because of the small population, the money is not really there.

“For the fighters like Tyson to make the most money, they have to get involved in US pay-per-view where you can get into millions of homes for a bigger price.

“Tyson has the most unbelievable personality and once it is exposed to the US public, he will be accepted in the same way George Foreman was for his comeback.”

Top Rank promoter Bob Arum are behind Fury's US fights and the Brit is set to have two tune up bouts before the Wilder rematch
4
Top Rank promoter Bob Arum is behind Fury's US fights and the Brit is set to have two tune up bouts before the Wilder rematchCredit: Getty Images - Getty
Tyson Fury will fight two opponents before taking on Deontay Wilder
4
Tyson Fury will fight two opponents before taking on Deontay WilderCredit: PA:Press Association
Bob Arum wants Deontay Wilder's name to be built up more with the US public
4
Bob Arum wants Deontay Wilder's name to be built up more with the US publicCredit: Getty - Contributor
Topics