News

Sydney makes surprise bid for Fury-Wilder rematch

June 8, 2020 01:21 PM


Twitter Share Facebook Share WhatsApp Share

Australian city Sydney has made an audacious bid to host a blockbuster heavyweight rematch between Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder, with promoters eyeing Boxing Day for the trilogy superfight.

Promoter Dean Lonergan has tentatively booked Bankwest Stadium in the city's west for the bout, The Australian reported Monday. Semi-autonomous Chinese city Macau is also in the running. "I put a proposal to (Top Rank promoter) Bob Arum about six weeks ago by way of email to bring down here the world heavyweight title fight between Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury," Lonergan told the newspaper.

"The day I suggested was December 26 here so we would (broadcast) to the USA on Christmas night."

Lonergan wasn't immediately available to confirm the comments. Following a controversial draw in December 2018, Britain's Fury, unbeaten as a professional, overpowered American Wilder in Las Vegas in February, beating him in seven rounds.

Wilder has activated the rematch clause in his contract, with a time yet to be fixed after the original date of July 18 was scrapped because of the coronavirus pandemic. Arum confirmed in a Sky Sports interview at the weekend that Sydney was in the mix, along with Macau. Both cities have got on top of COVID-19, and appear more likely to allow fans than the US or Britain.

Las Vegas could still host the fight if spectators are allowed back into venues. "Our friends in Australia are talking about doing this fight, probably in Sydney. That's a possibility," said Arum, who previously promoted ring great Manny's Pacquiao's bout against Australian Jeff Horn in Brisbane. "There are six big casino properties in Macau," he added. "We've talked to them. They're ready to put up money for the Fury fight against Wilder in November or December."

Lonergan said Boxing Day would be symbolic, marking 108 years to the day since African-American Jack Johnson was crowned the first black heavyweight champion by beating Tommy Burns in a world title bout in Sydney.

"Jack Johnson was the first Afro-American to crack the big time in the US. I think it would be incredibly significant if you did it down here to celebrate what he did all those years ago to chase Tommy Burns down," he said.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3XpMCGt6uvA


Most Read

  1. 20 passengers perish in Chilas bus plunge 20 passengers perish in Chilas bus plunge
  2. Daughters defend Bushra Bibi Daughters defend Bushra Bibi
  3. Pakistani-origin woman laid off by Elon Musk gives emotional reaction Pakistani-origin woman laid off by Elon Musk gives emotional reaction
  4. Pakistan's historic moon mission aboard China rocket blasts off Pakistan's historic moon mission aboard China rocket blasts off
  5. The Great Indian Kapil Show: Astonishing per-episode fees of cast revealed! The Great Indian Kapil Show: Astonishing per-episode fees of cast revealed!
  6. And they lived happily ever after! Ishq Murshid's last episode sparks joy among fans And they lived happily ever after! Ishq Murshid's last episode sparks joy among fans

Opinion

  1. PM Shehbaz Sharif, WEF and Pakistan
    PM Shehbaz Sharif, WEF and Pakistan

    By Naveed Aman Khan

  2. Employing global best practices in Pakistan-Saudi ties
    Employing global best practices in Pakistan-Saudi ties

    By Nasim Zehra

  3. PML-N smashed PTI in by-polls
    PML-N smashed PTI in by-polls

    By News Desk

  4. Riding the Digital Wave: How Technology is Rewriting the Script of Economic Prosperity
    Riding the Digital Wave: How Technology is Rewriting the Script of Economic Prosperity

    By News Desk

  5. Tax on solar energy: Govt's misplaced priorities favour powerful stakeholders over people welfare  
    Tax on solar energy: Govt's misplaced priorities favour powerful stakeholders over people welfare  

    By Manzoor Qadir

  6. Legacy of Indian military subjugation in Kashmir
    Legacy of Indian military subjugation in Kashmir

    By Dr Ghulam Nabi Fai