The WBC has ordered an immediate rematch between Heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury, according to Dan Rafael of espn.com.
“Consistent with the WBC board of governors voting regarding the direct rematch between WBC champion Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury, the WBC is hereby notifying both camps that the free negotiation period is opened,” the WBC, which sanctions the title belt that Wilder holds, said in a statement.
Shelly Finkel, one of Wilder’s managers, told ESPN on Wednesday that their side is ready to make a deal.
“We’ve been talking about it but now things will get serious,” Finkel said.
He said he had no issue with Fury getting 40 percent if the fight goes to a purse bid because “he deserves it.”
Finkel said he hopes that the fight will take place “sometime in late May. I could be June but I would hope May.”
A rematch would likely take place in the United States. Frank Warren, Fury’s promoter, told ESPN late last week that they remain interested in the rematch and acknowledged that it would likely be in the U.S. after at first talking about the prospect of the fight being in the United Kingdom.
“We’re trying to make that fight at the moment, everyone wants the fight and most importantly the fighters want it,” Warren said. “The venue is looking like the U.S. That’s where the money is. … Tyson is already in the gym working hard, ticking over, and I think we would get it (the fight) before June.”
