Rumours that Tyson Fury’s trilogy fight with Deontay Wilder is set to be postponed due to a COVID outbreak in the Gypsy King’s camp have gathered pace over the last 24 hours.
The original report appeared in the US, published by ESPN. It claims that Fury himself has tested positive for the virus, along with multiple other members of his camp.
With both men set to meet at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on July 24, a COVID outbreak this close to the fight would no doubt lead to a postponement.
However, Fury’s promoters Top Rank denied that any postponement had yet been made, though didn’t categorically deny anyone in the camp had the virus.
“We continue to monitor the health status of Tyson and his team and the status of the event has not changed to date,” Top Rank confirmed.
Former WBO heavyweight champion Joseph Parker, was training alongside Fury, but his manager David Higgins has told Sky Sports: “Joseph does not have Covid.”
Wilder’s manager, Shelly Finkel, hit out at Fury’s camp should the reports be true.
“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.”
In the wake of the news, Eddie Hearn took to Twitter to confirm that Dillian Whyte would be willing to step in and replace Fury if a postponement was off the cards.
Spoke to @DillianWhyte – he is due to fight end of August but ready to jump in July 24 v Wilder ?
— Eddie Hearn (@EddieHearn) July 8, 2021
The original ESPN report claims that the trilogy bout will now be moved to October.
Featured image credit: Getty
