FIRST, some serious and shocking news: Tyson Fury’s planned appearance at The Helix in Dublin next Wednesday (February 13) has had to be cancelled after the venue’s box office received a threat from someone claiming they would turn the gig into a “repeat of the Regency”.
This, of course, is a reference to the Regency Hotel attack which served to spark the Kinahan/Hutch (the third anniversary of which happens to be today). As well as the threat, graffiti was also found across The Helix and its surrounding areas.
A statement from The Helix read: “Due to unforeseen circumstances An Evening with Tyson Fury on Wednesday the 13th February at The Helix has been cancelled.
“Tickets purchased using a credit or debit card will be refunded in full.
“Cash refunds will be done by phone and The Helix Box Office will be in touch.”
According to TheJournal.ie, the gardaí are aware of incidents of threatening behaviour.
Now for some better news: Purse bids for the WBC world heavyweight title rematch between Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury were due today (February 5) but have been postponed following a request from representatives of both fighters.
WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman has granted the request, agreeing to push back the purse bid one week, which is typically an indication that both boxers are nearing terms. “We have extended [for] one week the free negotiations, per their request,” Sulaiman told ESPN.
If Wilder-Fury II does indeed go to a purse bid, Wilder, as champion, would receive 60 percent of the money and 40 percent would go to Fury. Chances are, though, based on the noises emanating from both camps, the seven-day extension won’t be necessary.
“We’re in strong negotiations and hopefully we will get things done,” Shelly Finkel, Wilder’s co-manager, said to ESPN. “I don’t think we are going to need a purse bid.”
That should be music to the ears of not only Wilder and Fury, two men eager to settle a score, but the many fans who enjoyed their spirited first effort at the Staples Center, Los Angeles on December 1. In that fight, one that generated a reported 325,000 buys on Showtime PPV, Fury surrendered what appeared to be a sure-fire victory when he found himself decked twice by Wilder – first in round nine and then, crucially, in the last round. Thanks to his punch power, Wilder escaped with his WBC title to the tune of a split draw [scores were 115-111 for Wilder, 114-112 for Fury and 113-113], but plenty of questions were still to be answered.
Now, thankfully, it appears Wilder and Fury will have the chance to clear up the controversy of bout one in April or May.
