Bob Arum insists Tyson Fury WILL face Anthony Joshua next if he beats Kubrat Pulev… despite Deontay Wilder insisting he has contract for third fight

Tyson Fury is still on to fight Anthony Joshua next instead of facing Deontay Wilder for a third time, according to Bob Arum.

Fury insists the rematch clause with Wilder has lapsed, meaning the Gypsy King is under no obligation to defend his WBC heavyweight title against the American.

Fury claimed an incredible win over Wilder in February after their first showdown ended in a drawGetty Images - Getty

The Bronze Bomber begs to differ, though, and has now initiated the dispute resolution provision within the fight contract.

This will force both parties to enter mediation which is expected to begin this week and be overseen by a retired judge.

Should a resolution not be found, the next step is binding arbitration in which the mediator will make a ruling and settle the dispute once and for all.

Fury’s planned December 5 fight against Agit Kabayel at the Royal Albert Hall has been scrapped as he awaits an outcome for his dispute with Wilder.

Fury is the WBC and Ring Magazine champion after dethroning Deontay WilderAFP or licensors

But Arum, Fury’s co-promoter in the US, is adamant that the Gypsy King will be free to face Joshua in early 2021 – so long as he overcomes Kubrat Pulev on December 12.

Asked by iFL TV what will happen if Joshua beats Pulev, Arum said: “Then I’m sure Fury will want to go right to a Joshua fight.

“And then there’s a rematch… so that knocks Wilder out, and then the Wilder people will be in arbitration with Fury and ourselves trying to interpret the contract to say that Fury is still obligated to fight Wilder.

“But I assure you that’s not the case, the contract is clear. But do they have the right to bring this to arbitration? Yes.”

This means things could proceed as planned with financial terms already agreed for two Fury vs Joshua fights in 2021.

Arum, however, does not appear convinced that Joshua will beat Pulev next month – opening the door for Wilder to get his third shot at Fury.

Joshua holds the WBA, IBF and WBO belts having beaten Andy Ruiz Jr in their rematch last DecemberGetty

“If Pulev wins, there’s no Joshua because Eddie has a rematch with Pulev. So that takes care of a big part of next year for Joshua,” he said.

“And so that leaves Wilder as the best guy. So if Pulev beats Joshua, we’ll talk to Fury about doing the Wilder fight at the end of February.”

He continued: “By the end of February, hopefully, the pandemic will be under control, and we’ll at least be able to put the [Fury vs. Wilder III] fight in Allegiant Stadium [in Las Vegas, Nevada], and do it for 15,000, 20,000 people in a 75,000 seat stadium.

“It’s all well and good for Fury to say that he wants to fight Joshua, but who knows if Joshua is going to be around after he fights my guy Pulev.”

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