Deontay Wilder officially triggers rematch clause as Bob Arum identifies potential dates for third fight

Bob Arum has revealed that Deontay Wilder has officially exercised his rematch clause to fight Tyson Fury for a third time.

The trilogy will take place in July before the Olympics, the Top Rank promoter has confirmed.

Fury ripped the WBC world heavyweight title from the American last week in devastating fashion with a seventh-round knockout.

But despite the damage done in the initial rematch, the Bronze Bomber will go straight into a third fight in his bid for redemption.

“Wilder’s representatives formally notified us last night that they have accepted the rematch,” Arum told Ringside Reporter Live

“It’s going to happen in the summer before the Olympics.”

Arum admitted he was unsure as to whether Wilder will have fully recovered by that point following the bruising, two-knockdown defeat, which saw him suffer a badly-cut ear and lip.

The Olympics in Tokyo are set to start on 24 July, meaning the weekend before on Saturday 18 July is the latest the fight will occur according to Arum’s schedule.

In the aftermath of the fight, Wilder listed off a series of excuses for his loss, primarily his ring walk costume, which he claims weighed 40 pounds and sapped energy from his legs.

“I had no legs,” Wilder said. “I’m surprised I went that long.

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“I had no legs, and I knew I was in for a fight with these legs and the condition I was in. It was crazy. But, you know, again, it’s nobody’s fault but mine.

“I wore the costume that was that heavy, and I paid the price. I traded the tribute to men and women [for] my title, and you know, as a warrior, I was gonna fight.

“My job was to fight under any circumstances, as a king, and that’s what I did. And I don’t take nothing back.”