The cause of the coronavirus outbreak in Tyson Fury’s camp appears to have been identified, though proving far more damaging than previously reported.
Multiple sources have informed BoxingScene.com that Fury himself was among those who have tested positive for Covid-19, along with at least seven other members of his camp. The development has ruined plans for a scheduled trilogy bout with Deontay Wilder, which was due to take place July 24 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Veteran boxing writer Dan Rafael was the first to reveal the news of Fury’s positive test.
John Fury, Tyson’s father revealed earlier Thursday evening that an unnamed sparring partner was responsible for bringing the infectious disease into training camp. BoxingScene.com learned that Fury (30-0-1, 21KOs) was infected as early as Monday, though with incremental details revealed Thursday morning and throughout the day.
“I was shocked,” John Fury stated while speaking at a dinner Thursday evening in Northampton, England. “You don’t want these things to happen. It is off.
“Apparently one of the sparring partners brought it in. He’s infected the full team. These things happen in life. He will have to reschedule.”
Representatives from Top Rank, Premier Boxing Champions and Wilder’s camp have all declined comment on the subject. Wilder was still in training as of Thursday, of the mindset that the lineal/WBC heavyweight title fight with Fury would still move forward.
Those plans have considerably changed.
A press conference to formally announce the fight was held June 15 at The Novo by Microsoft at L.A. Live in Los Angeles. During the session, Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum informed reporter that both Wilder and Fury and their respective teams were fully vaccinated, with the session taking place at the time when lineal lightweight champion Teofimo Lopez—who is not vaccinated, tested positive for COVID and was forced to withdraw from his June 19 title defense versus IBF mandatory challenger George Kambosos Jr.
Sources inform BoxingScene.com that Fury was not fully vaccinated at the time or as this goes to publish. The 32-year-old heavyweight from Manchester, England only received one dose of the vaccine.
BoxingScene.com has confirmed that Wilder and all immediate members of his camp are fully vaccinated.
This is a developing story…
By Jake Donovan (BoxingScene)