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22nd Sep 2018

Date revealed for Tyson Fury’s world title fight with Deontay Wilder

Las Vegas may not be hosting the bout after all

Darragh Murphy

Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder have finally signed their contracts for their WBC heavyweight title fight.

Fury secured his first shot at heavyweight gold since his comeback from his time away from the ring by maintaining his perfect professional record against Francesco Pianeta in Belfast last month.

Wilder, the defending champion, was in Belfast to confront Fury and promoter Frank Warren confirmed that the bout would take place before 2018 was out.

It was initially suggested that Las Vegas would host the monster meeting of unbeaten behemoths but ESPN insists that Los Angeles’ Staples Centre is currently the front-runner.

Somebody’s 0 will have to go on December 1, when Fury will fight on American soil for just the second time.

Wilder took to Instagram on Friday night to confirm that the fight was going ahead.

“Well, I just signed my portion of the contract of the Wilder vs. Fury fight,” Wilder said. “This fight is definitely on. It’s going to be one for the legacy. Definitely one for my legacy.

“It’s going to be a pleasure. The two best heavyweights competing against each other. The best fighting the best giving the people what they want. Announcement next week baby.”

Rumours claimed that Fury had been having second thoughts about the fight and wanted one more tune-up bout before facing the task of a world title contest but ‘The Gypsy King’ was quick to dismiss those suggestions.

Both Fury and Wilder will have a keen eye on Saturday night’s main event in Wembley, where Anthony Joshua will be defending his WBA, IBF, WBO and IBO heavyweight belts against the unfancied but definitely dangerous Alexander Povetkin.

Joshua was in talks to fight Wilder this year but the pair couldn’t come to an agreement.