WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury has broken his silence regarding the unexpected turn of events with Deontay Wilder.
Fury was close to finalizing a deal to face WBO, WBA, IBF, IBO champion Anthony Joshua in a full division unification on August 14 in Saudi Arabia.
But on Monday those plans were hit with a brick, when an arbitrator ruled that Fury had to honor a contractual rematch clause with Deontay Wilder - and he ordered Fury to make good on that obligation by September 15.
The contractual clause is connected to their February 2020 rematch - which saw Fury capture the WBC title by stopping Wilder in the seventh round at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
Wilder would then exercise a rematch clause.
The third fight was pushed back several times due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Last October, Fury's handlers advised Wilder that his rematch clause had expired - which is when the once-beaten boxer began a legal action to enforce his right to a third meeting.
Fury took to social media to explain that he's ready to batter Wilder in the ring.
"What a joke Deontay Wilder has become. Asked for 20 million to move over #joker. Looks like I’ll have to crack his skull again!," Fury stated.
Wilder's co-trainer, retired heavyweight Malik Scott, recently stated that his boxer was not willing to entertain the idea of a rematch clause.
“Wilder declined and had no interest in step-aside money. Y’all dealing with a whole different type motherf---- over here. He want the blood, not that step-aside money. Retribution is upon us," Scott stated.
Top Rank's CEO Bob Arum, who co-promotes Fury, has already reserved the new 65,000-seat Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas for July 24 - in the event a third Wilder fight will move forward.