Page 16 - Boxing News Magazine (January 2020)

Photo: ESTHER LIN/SHOWTIME

WILDER vs FURY II:

John HOW BIG IS THIS FIGHT? Joshua has engaged in negotiations boxing, Fury’s co-promoter Bob Arum
It is huge. There are three big with Wilder’s team before, which failed. and Wilder’s representative Al Haymon
Dennen names in heavyweight boxing It is hard to be optimistic that those had to set aside their commercial
considers right now and in this fight two wouldn’t collapse again, but if Fury wins rivalry to work together. That it has
1 of them are combining. Deontay in February, a fight with Joshua might, happened now has huge implications
the major Wilder and Tyson Fury fought over a perhaps, be easier to make. Only time for making future super-fights.
issues ahead year ago for the WBC heavyweight will tell, but either way Wilder-Fury is a Veteran promoter Arum is a master
crown. That was a major event then, tremendous way to kick off 2020. at building fights. He decided that
of the but resulting in a controversial draw Fury’s rematch with Wilder
Deontay generated a even greater furore HOW HARD WAS THE BIG would be bigger if they gave
afterward, which will draw even more THIS FIGHT TO +REMATCH+ it time. With Top Rank, Fury
Wilder vs attention to the rematch. Furthermore, MAKE? fought twice in Las Vegas
Tyson Fury in another breakthrough, Fox Sports You’d think WILDER-FURY II and toured American
and ESPN, the two biggest broadcasters 2 after boxing media studios, while Wilder
rematch at in America, will work together for their once before it would fought in both Brooklyn and
the MGM first joint boxing pay-per-view. With straightforward to put Las Vegas. It also meant that
their muscle behind it that too can be together a second deal for a the bout became big enough to
Grand in Las expected to bring in a vast audience. rematch. But Fury was early into a bring the Fox and ESPN networks
Vegas on Of course, this fight will dictate the comeback when he took the Wilder together. It was a risk to wait so long,
future of the heavyweight division. If fight first time around and he emerged one of them could have lost for instance
February 22 Wilder-Fury produces a clear winner with great credit. It set him up for or the relevant parties could have
the obvious thing to happen next would a lucrative deal with promotional failed to close the deal. But now that
be for Anthony Joshua to fight the powerhouse Top Rank. To make this it is indeed happening, it looks to be a
victor for the undisputed championship. rematch the two most powerful men in promotional masterstroke.

14 O BOXING NEWS O JANUARY 9, 2020 w w w . b o x i n g n e w s o n l i n e . n e t