Tyson Fury vs Deontay Wilder: Frank Warren blames ESPN for blocking immediate heavyweight rematch
Deontay Wilder’s co-manager also revealed that the WBC champion had turned down a multi-fight deal from ESPN
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Tyson Fury’s promoter, Frank Warren, has blamed the Brit’s new multi-million pound deal with ESPN for delaying a rematch with WBC world heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder.
The WBC confirmed yesterday that Fury had told the governing body he wished to take a warm-up fight in the States first to increase his exposure, at the behest of ESPN and co-promoters Top Rank.
Warren claimed he was “very disappointed” by the news, which pushes back a potential rematch to late 2019. Joseph Parker and Kubrat Pulev, also both aligned to Bob Arum’s promotional label, are now frontrunners to face Fury in May.
“It’s not our doing. ESPN/Top Rank, they’re insisting they want to give Tyson an exposure fight in the States first,” Warren told TalkSport.
“I’m very disappointed we’re not going straight to it, but it is actually beyond our control.”
Deontay Wilder’s co-manager Shelly Finkel also weighed in on the news, revealing ESPN had offered Wilder a multi-fight deal which would effectively secure the Alabama native’s future to the network.
However, the veteran manager was not willing to betray his and Wilder’s long-held allegiances to rival broadcaster Showtime.
“We did receive an offer from Top Rank which included a multi-fight deal with Deontay,” Finkel told World Boxing News.
“The deal effectively meant signing Deontay over to them and included a purse for a fight before the Tyson Fury rematch. But we didn’t want to – and are not going to – give up our fighter up to them.
“If we wanted to do a fight beforehand, we would do it ourselves.”
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments