Wilder-Fury ll scheduled for MGM Grand Arena, Las Vegas
Arguably the most exciting card for 2020 boxing calendar is the Wilder-Fury ll which was announced last Friday the 27th of December, 2019 by Top Rank and Premier Boxing Champions (PBC), naming the MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas as the venue for the titanic fight.
The fight was officially sanctioned by the Nevada Athletics Commission, as tickets are ready for purchase since Saturday 28th December, 2019.
The fight which is jointly promoted as agreed by Top Rank and PBC will be on Pay-Per-View on ESPN and Fox which are media partners and broadcasters of Fury and Wilder’s promoters respectively.
It was all drama, tension, excitement and surprises when the two clashed in the first fight on December 1, 2018 at the Staples Center, Los Angeles with Fury outboxing Wilder but suffered two knockdowns sending the fight to a split draw decision by the judges’ score cards. This generated a lot of murmuring and controversy but immediately after the fight, both boxers called for a rematch. In principles, both boxers agreed to fight but Fury quickly signed a deal to be jointly promoted by Frank Warren’s Queensbery Promotions and Top Rank. This rematch quickly was signed between Top Rank and PBC which many considered as rare between the two top rival American promotional syndicates with a third fight clause, but before the rematch, both boxers will have to take two bouts.
Wilder 34, (42-0-1, 41KOs) took a mandatory defence of the WBC heavyweight title with Dominic Breazeal and dispatched him in the first round on May 18, 2018 at the Barclays Center, New York and later on November 23 clashed with Luis “King Kong” Ortiz in a rematch at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, same venue for the Wilder-Fury ll in a pay-per-view fight, when he dispatched Ortiz in the seventh round after the latter had had a commanding lead on the score cards of the judges but was caught in that thunderous right of Wilder, sending him to the canvas.
Fury 31, (29-0-1, 20KOs) won his two fights with relatively unknown boxers to that of Wilder. Fury fought Tom Schwarz on June 15, 2018, pounded him and dispatched him in the second round at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. Fury rather faced a stiffer challenge in a gruelling encounter with Otto Wallin to win on decision over twelve rounds which he suffered two deep cuts over his right eye.
“I’m happy and I’m excited that the rematch is finally happening,” said Wilder, “I want to give the fans what they want to see. I’ve been doing it with my last three outings — Fury, Dominic Breazeale and Ortiz. They’ve been spectacular events — from my ring walks, where I gather all the energy of the people, to my uniforms that I wear to help spread that energy. Then I give them what they all come for — the knockouts, and my knockouts have been amazing.
“I proved myself the first time and I’m ready to do it again. It was a very controversial fight. I promise my fans that there won’t be any controversy with this one. I’m going to finish it.” Wilder ended with a big broad smile as he looks at the guest in an expectant mood.
“There’s no more ducking and diving,” Fury said. “The date has been set, and the ‘Bomb Squad’ is about to be securely detonated and the real champion crowned as the world watches on for the most anticipated fight in years. This is unfinished business for me, but come Feb. 22, this dosser will finally get what’s coming to him, and I can’t wait.” Fury said in a teasing tone.