Boxing
Deontay Wilder officially activates rematch clause for trilogy fight with Tyson Fury
Deontay Wilder already said he was going to do it, and now it's official.
"The Bronze Bomber" has activated his rematch clause for a trilogy fight with Tyson Fury in an attempt to snatch the WBC world heavyweight title back, as first reported by BT Sport on Sunday.
After Wilder suffered a seventh-round TKO loss to Fury for his first pro defeat last weekend, he re-emerged via his social media to vow that that he'll be looking for redemption in a third bout with Fury.
"We will rise again. We will regain the title. I will be back. We will hold our heads up high. Your king is in great spirit," Wilder said via his Twitter and Instagram accounts. "We will rise like a phoenix from the ashes and regain the title. I'll see you in a few months. For the war has just begun. All my love to all my people."
Last week, Wilder (42-1-1, 41 KOs) also took the time to clarify his disappointment over Mark Breland throwing in the towel during the Fury fight, saying that the trainer is still part of his corner.
"I'm a warrior. I feel the same way I felt on fight night — if I have to go out, I want to go out on my shield," Wilder told ESPN on Friday. "But I understand that my corner and my team has my best interest at heart. Mark Breland is still a part of Team Wilder, and our team looks forward to preparing for the [trilogy fight]."
After boxing Fury to a controversial split draw in December 2018, Wilder was pummeled by the "Gypsy King" in their rematch Feb. 22. Fury knocked him down twice before unloading with a barrage of punches to bring the bout to a screeching halt in the seventh round. With the stoppage, Wilder's title defense streak was snapped at 10 fights.
ESPN's Dan Rafael reported that Fury co-promoter Bob Arum is planning for the fight to take place July 18 in Las Vegas at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, the same venue where Fury defeated Wilder on Feb. 22.
