Deontay Wilder is reportedly in ‘preliminary talks’ with Charles Martin for a fight in the first quarter of 2021 as the third bout with Tyson Fury is cast in uncertainty.
The 35-year-old American star was dominated and outclassed in his blockbuster rematch with Fury last February.
And Wilder, who suffered his first professional defeat to Fury, wasted no time in invoking his rematch clause in the hopes of recapturing the WBC title.
A third fight between Wilder and Fury was scheduled for last summer, but the disruption caused by the coronavirus pandemic postponed the bout.
Wilder vs Fury was expected to be rescheduled for the end of 2020, but the ‘Gypsy King’ came out in October to say that he had “moved on” from facing his fierce rival.
Former WBC champ Wilder has also levelled bizarre accusations at Brit superstar Fury amid the dispute surrounding the third fight in their trilogy.
Wilder’s co-manager, Shelly Finkel, has now suggested that a mediator ‘informed’ them that Fury does not want to face the ‘Bronze Bomber’ again.
According to Finkel, the plan for Wilder’s camp is to take the case to arbitration.
The 76-year-old promoter revealed that the plan to file for arbitration sometime in the next two weeks.
“We’re going to go for everything we can,” Finkel told Sports Illustrated.
“I’m a realist with what I am up against. We have an agreement.