Tyson Fury vs Deontay Wilder 3: Fight postponed after Briton tests positive for coronavirus

The trilogy fight between Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder scheduled for July 24 in Las Vegas has been postponed due to a Covid-19 outbreak with the Briton and members of his camp testing positive for the virus.

Sources have told The Telegraph that nine people using the training gym have returned positive tests, including sparring partners. The third fight between Fury and Wilder for the Briton's World Boxing Council title is now expected to be postponed until October 9, although that may require an amended ruling from the arbitration judge Daniel Weinstein who had deemed that the third fight between the two heavyweights must take place before September 15.

Fury, who had been in high spirits in camp, even celebrating England's Euro 2020 success, said he was "disappointed and frustrated" while Wilder's co-manager Shelly Finkel criticised Team Fury for failing to be fully vaccinated, after it emerged that some members had not had a second Covid-19 jab.

"They didn’t do what they said they had and what they should have done as professional athletes," Finkel told The Athletic. “There’s so much money, prestige and things riding on this, and we all have a job to do to make sure it happens on time.”

Members of Team Fury had felt unwell on Monday, and Fury was positive when tested on Thursday. Following discussions between promoter Bob Arum of Top Rank and medical advisers, the promoter visited Fury at his mansion in the Las Vegas suburb of Henderson - one of two houses where the team is based - and told the world champion that the fight would have to be called off. An official announcement from the promoters Top Rank is expected later on Friday.

Fury is facing the American Wilder who won an arbitration case last month, forcing the British boxer out of an undisputed heavyweight title fight with Anthony Joshua, which had been scheduled to take place in August in Saudi Arabia. The retired judge Weinstein had ruled that Wilder had a contractual right to a third contest with Fury.

Wilder and Fury first fought in Los Angeles in December 2018, in a dramatic twelve round contest which ended in a controversial split draw, with Fury rising from the canvas after being felled in the final round.

In their second meeting in Las Vegas on February 23, 2020, Fury dominated Wilder, dropping him twice in the third and fifth rounds, with the fight stopped in the seventh round when the towel came in from the former champion's corner under a barrage of punches. Neither Fury, who claimed the WBC title in the fight, nor Wilder, have fought in the interim.

What is it?

The third fight between Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury, who will battle for the WBC heavyweight title. Fury was on track to meet Anthony Joshua for the undisputed heavyweight crown late this summer in Saudi Arabia, but the biggest fight in British boxing history collapsed when a judge in the US ruled Wilder had the contractual right to a third contest with the 'Gypsy King'.

When is it?

The fight was set to take place on Saturday, July 24. It is now expected to be postponed until October 9, although that may require an amended ruling from the arbitration judge Daniel Weinstein who had deemed that the third fight between the two heavyweights must take place before September 15.

Where is it?

Before the postponement Fury-Joshua 3 was due to be held at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

What happened in the first two fights?

Fury and Wilder fought to a disputed draw in their first bout back in 2018, but Fury dominated the rematch from the outset and stopped the Bronze Bomber in the seventh round to inflict Wilder's first career loss.

What are their records?

Tyson Fury

• Total fights 31

• Wins 30

• Wins by KO 21

• Losses 0

• Draws 1

Deontay Wilder

• Total fights 44

• Wins 42

• Wins by KO 41

• Losses 1

• Draws 1

What are the latest odds?

• Fury win - 1/3

• Wilder win - 9/4

• Draw - 25/1

(All odds via Oddschecker)