The Athletic is reporting that Deontay Wilder is initiating a dispute resolution provision in the contract with Tyson Fury to force a third fight in the trilogy. Mediation on the matter is set to begin this week.
According to Wilder, mediation over the matter is the process which is to settle this dispute per the terms of the contract. Somewhat confusing in the story is that a retired judge is set to be the mediator but also a part of a binding arbitration. Technically speaking, mediation is not binding. Parties can enter into binding arbitration. One would surmise that the contract may not have two alternative dispute resolution clauses.
After Fury’s defeat of Wilder in their second fight this past February, Wilder exercised his right to a rematch to force a trilogy fight with Fury. The fight was to take place in mid-July and allowed for a 90-day delay for injury if needed. This past March, the fight was moved to the fall due to the coronavirus pandemic.
However, Fury’s side argues that the rematch clause does not continue forever. He agreed to allow a delay until December but claims that he cannot wait any longer for the rematch as he awaits a two-fight series with Anthony Joshua which they anticipate will happen in early 2021.
Payout Perspective:
The contractual language as well as the external forces of the pandemic may play a part in the decision by the mediator and/or arbitrator. While there is the suggestion that Fury could offer Wilder “step-aside” money, its unlikely that he would take it as its clear Wilder wants another shot at Fury. If he were to take the money, it would be unlikely that the two sides would come to an agreement on another fight in the future. From Fury’s perspective, since he beat Wilder, his motivation is less to fight Wilder again as he sees that he has nothing to gain and more to lose in a third fight. With an Anthony Joshua fight on the horizon, a loss to Wilder could delay a big money two-fight series with Joshua.
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