UNBEATEN BRITISH HEAVYWEIGHT Tyson Fury will return to the ring against German Tom Schwarz on 15 June, fighting for the first time in Las Vegas, Nevada, promoter Top Rank confirmed this weekend.
Fury, 27-0 with 1 drawn and 19 knockouts, still labels himself the “lineal champion” despite vacating in 2016 the several versions of the heavyweight world title he won against Wladimir Klitschko four years ago.
He’ll be fighting for the first time since a controversial split-decision draw at Los Angeles in December against American Deontay Wilder, who retained his World Boxing Council belt.
Fury has since signed a deal with Top Rank and US broadcaster ESPN, which will carry the June bout — a deal that slowed plans for a rematch with Wilder.
Schwarz, 24, brings a record of 24-0 with 16 knockouts to the bout, but the towering 240-pounder is taking a massive step up in quality and has fought only twice outside of Germany — both times in the Czech Republic.
ESPN reported that Top Rank has the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas on hold for the date, with the Nevada State Athletic Commission scheduled to consider the request on March 27.
But ESPN reported there remained a chance the fight could be held at an MGM Resorts International property, either the MGM Grand Garden Arena or the Mandalay Bay Events Center.
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@Stephen Harper: your second comment was also unnecessary mate, as was your first.
Sycophantic scribblings about pilgrimages to tick things off your personal bucket list is one thing.
Balanced journalism is another : i.e. why does the author not bring up Messi’s (€25 million per year) sports washing contract with the Saudi regime ?
and how that also conflicts with his own country’s bid to host 2030 World Cup – which Saudi are also bidding for.
People should be allowed express opinions – not be forced into dumbed down boring conformity.
Fine journalism from a man who cut his teeth writing about what poet came up in honours English in paper 2 of the leaving cert in 2011.