Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury will reportedly have to face each other for a third time by September 15 of this year after an arbitration case ruled in the Bronze Bombers' favour.
British boxing fans have been left devastated by the news that Fury's proposed fight against Anthony Joshua, initially scheduled for August 14, now looks to be off after judge Daniel Weinstein ruled that Fury must first take on Wilder for a third time.
But according to ESPN the trilogy bout must take place before mid-September.
Fury claimed an historic victory when he stopped Wilder in Las Vegas back in February 2020.
That came 14 months after the pair had controversially drawn in a fight many felt the Gypsy King deserved to win.
But Wilder will now get the chance to regain his WBC title.
It comes as something of a shock with Fury only posting a video on social media at the weekend indicating that a fight with Joshua was close.
He said: “I have got some massive news. I have just got off the phone with Prince Khalid of Saudi Arabia and he told me this fight is 100% on, 14 August.”
Fury then added: “All eyes of the world will be on the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. I cannot wait, I repeat, cannot wait to smash Anthony Joshua on the biggest stage of all-time.
"This is going to be the biggest sporting event ever to grace the planet Earth. Do not miss it.”
Joshua's next move is now unclear with a potential fight against Oleksandr Usyk back on the agenda.
