This archive report was first published on 8 June 2020.
Published on June 8, 2020, by AFP
Sydney, a city in Australia, is vying to host a highly anticipated boxing rematch between Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder. The proposed fight, which could take place on Boxing Day, would be a significant event for the city.
According to promoter Dean Lonergan, Bankwest Stadium in western Sydney has been tentatively booked for the bout. Macau, a semi-autonomous Chinese city, is also in the running to host the fight.
Lonergan had previously proposed the idea to Top Rank promoter Bob Arum via email six weeks prior, suggesting December 26 as the potential date for the fight. This date would allow the event to be broadcast in the United States on Christmas night.
Following a contentious draw in December 2018, Fury, who remains undefeated as a professional, defeated Wilder in Las Vegas in February 2020, winning the fight in seven rounds. Wilder has since activated the rematch clause in his contract, with a new date yet to be set due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Arum confirmed in a recent interview that Sydney and Macau are both being considered as potential host cities for the fight. Both cities have effectively managed the COVID-19 pandemic and appear more likely to allow fans to attend the event than the US or Britain.
Las Vegas could still host the fight if spectators are allowed back into venues. Arum stated that Sydney is a possibility, citing the city's previous experience in hosting high-profile boxing events, including Manny Pacquiao's bout against Australian Jeff Horn in Brisbane.
Lonergan emphasized the symbolic significance of hosting the fight on Boxing Day, which would mark 108 years since African-American Jack Johnson was crowned the first black heavyweight champion by beating Tommy Burns in a world title bout in Sydney.
