Tyson Fury beats Detonay Wilder becoming the first Brit to win all 4 heavyweight titles! pic.twitter.com/hAzUz6wE9n
— Daily Mirror (@DailyMirror) February 23, 2020
When we think of trilogies, we usually think of movies such as The Lord of the Rings, Back to the Future and the Original Star Wars. And we also know that the third movie in a trilogy doesn’t always hit the mark – for every, The Good, The Bad and the Ugly there’s a Godfather III lurking in the shadows.
When it comes to sport, the third match in a contest is often seen as the ultimate decider – the ubiquitous “best of three.” Muhammad Ali fought Joe Frazier three times in four years in the 1970s with Frazier triumphing in the first match, billed “Fight of the Century”, and Ali winning the final two matchups including the final contest billed as the “Thrilla in Manila” as it was hosted in the Philippines’ capital.
Trilogy clause activated
The world of boxing is now bracing itself for the next big triple header following Deontay Wilder’s decision to invoke a trilogy clause that was written into the contract of his second fight against British boxer Tyson Fury. The first fight between the two ended in a controversial split draw prompting a rematch at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
Deontay Wilder has officially exercised his rematch clause with Tyson Fury.
Trilogy coming 🔥
(via @KevinI) pic.twitter.com/aIX7vx7e7A
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) March 1, 2020
The second fight was more one-sided and Fury was eventually crowned champion after Wilder’s corner threw in the towel with their fighter struggling in the seventh round having already been knocked down in the third and fifth rounds. Wilder famously used the excuse that his walk-on costume had been too heavy and made his legs tired during the fight. He waited a week before activating the trilogy clause. Based on his performance in the previous two contests, Fury is seen as the clear favourite to win the third fight in the boxing betting with odds of 2/7.
When and where will it take place?
Immediately after the fight, there were calls for Fury to fight fellow Brit Anthony Joshua but that fight may have to wait as Wilder exercises his right to a rematch. The fight was originally pencilled in for July but a date in November or December now looks more likely. The contract stated that any trilogy fight should take place in the USA and Las Vegas is Fury’s preferred location. Wilder might push for an alternative venue but Fury is likely to have the upper hand in deciding when and where it takes place. The British boxer may even try to push the fight back until 2021.
Who will win?
Most experts agree that Fury performed better in the first fight and that the draw was not the correct outcome. He backed that up with a dominating display in the follow-up bout and will start as the favourite again. The trilogy fight will give Wilder one last chance to prove that he can raise his level and he may count on Fury being over-confident coming into the fight. There will be no more excuses left for the American after this multi-million dollar rematch. Boxing fans can only hope that this trilogy brings the series to an exciting and satisfying conclusion.
