After Tyson Fury’s classy destruction of Tom Schwarz on Saturday, talk has already begun about his rematch with Deontay Wilder.
In truth, chatter about Wilder vs Fury II has been raging for eight months since their first encounter and was intensified when the American announced two weeks ago he had come to terms with the Gypsy King over the rematch.
But Fury spent fight week in Las Vegas playing down expectations and dismissing questions about a trilogy clause in the contract. Fury even went as far to say he had not signed any deal and had no idea why Wilder was talking about a trilogy.
The mooted rematch is at least seven months away. The targeted date is now in February or the first week of March. But crucially, Fury and Wilder will fight again at the end of 2019. Wilder is in a tricky rematch with Luis Ortiz and Fury against another unconfirmed opponent in New York.
Andy Ruiz’s stunning upset victory over former three-belt champion Anthony Joshua was a timely reminder of the unpredictability of the heavyweight division, and the dangers of putting off fights.
Wilder is expected to deal more easily with Ortiz than in their thrilling first fight, but outside the top three heavyweights in the world, the Cuban is arguably the most difficult opponent.
Fury too could conceivably lose. That would leave Wilder-Fury II not only in serious doubt , but knock off several million pounds off its financial muscle. Bob Arum proclaimed after Fury’s annihilation of Schwarz that he expected Wilder-Fury II to be the richest fight in boxing history.
That would mean the rematch would rake in more than Floyd Mayweather vs Manny Pacquiao, which grossed $600million worldwide. Arum’s dream would be effectively shattered should either heavyweight stumble later this year.
Hammering home this point appeared to be Fury’s goal during fight week – a lot can happen between now and February. Should one of them pick up a serious injury, then the rematch would be pushed back again.
MORE : Metro.co.uk’s Heavyweight Rankings: Tyson Fury reigns supreme ahead of Deontay Wilder and AJ
Ruiz might beat Joshua in their rematch later this year and offer himself to either man. The lure of three world titles might be too strong to turn down. And were Fury or Wilder to become unified champion, it would make their rematch even bigger.
One thing that is certain is whoever wins the rematch can call themselves the undisputed king of the heavyweights. Fury appears to have stamped his claim on that title for the moment, but after all the controversy of his first showdown with Wilder, the British star has to take out the Bronze Bomber to rightly call himself the king.
Joshua’s humiliation against Ruiz rules him out of the conversation for the foreseeable future.
Wilder too will feel should be stop Fury he has settled any and all concerns about his position as an elite champion. And it’s possible, Wilder caught Fury twice last December and the second shot required a resurrection moment from the challenger.
Joshua now looks on from the outside, cursing his decision to put off a super-fight with Wilder and Fury. But come September, Fury or Wilder might be left ruing their own choices.
Fury v Schwarz was exclusively live on BT Sport Box Office
MORE : Tyson Fury’s performance against Tom Schwarz slammed by his own brother