Fury v. Wilder; The Implications of COVID-19

Isaac Brekken/Associated Press

The highly anticipated fight between Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder was postponed Thursday after Fury tested positive for COVID-19. The match had been set for July 24.

The impact of COVID-19 has been felt worldwide. The boxing world has also been put on hold, with this being just the latest instance.

For Fury, he will have to endure the complications of COVID-19 that will see him sidelined for at least 14 days.

Fury holds a record of 30-0-1 entering his title defense against Wilder.

Carl Froch, boxing expert and columnist for Sky Sports, anticipates that the break will have major implications.

“This delay is definitely going to hurt Fury more,” Froch said. “They have both been out of the ring for the same amount of time, but Wilder is still going to be hungry, he's got a point to prove.”

Wilder will have to channel his hunger for his shot at Fury. Wilder must battle the psychological

effects of fighting. Wilder will have to recapture the momentum that carried him into this fight.

“I think Wilder is going to be like a man on fire, training for this fight, whereas Fury fought him the first time when he wasn't in shape and still got a draw,” said Froch

Both fighters have some work to do in recommitting to this fight. Both will be up for one more obstacle to get the chance to compete.

Gabe Rosado, current WBA Continental Americas champion and WBA International champion in the middleweight division, seemed confident about Fury’s ability to bounce back.

“One thing about Fury, he’s strong-minded, willpower — it’s hard to break a man down when you have to literally run over him with a bulldozer because you ain’t gonna break him mentally,” Rosado said in his interview with Bad Left Hook. “Wilder gotta bring his best game, man.”

According to CBS Sports, The fight has been rescheduled for October 9 at the T-Mobile Center in Las Vegas.