Tyson Fury’s fight against Deontay Wilder has been postponed after an outbreak of COVID-19 in Fury’s camp. The Briton was scheduled to fight Wilder for the third time in the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on July 24 but the bout will have to be rescheduled following multiple positive tests.
Fury himself and at least seven of his entourage have tested positive for coronavirus, according to reports.
An official statement is expected on Friday, but BBC Sport reports that the decision was taken to postpone the trilogy fight on Thursday after consultation with medical professionals.
The outlet says it is likely to be pushed back to October, with The Athletic reporting that the outbreak began in the Las Vegas gym Fury has been using to prepare for the fight.
Former WBO heavyweight champion Joseph Parker has been training alongside Fury in the gym but his manager David Higgins told Sky Sports he has not tested positive for the virus.
The news comes as a blow to Fury, who won the last clash in February 2020 with a seventh-round knock-out.
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“He’s infected the full team. These things happen in life. He will have to reschedule.”
Neither boxer has competed since Fury’s win in February 2020 and this latest setback will prolong their inactivity.
The third meeting of the two fighters has been a long time coming, with several attempts at a rematch falling through due to COVID-19 restrictions.
WBC world heavyweight Fury has tried to move on from Wilder and has repeatedly angled for a fight against fellow Briton Anthony Joshua.
Joshua holds the other three significant titles at heavyweight, but an arbitration hearing ruled that Wilder had contractual grounds for a third contest.
Fury remains unbeaten in his 31 professional bouts, with 21 knock-outs to his name.