Former world heavyweight champion Tyson Fury has signed a lucrative broadcast deal worth NZ$150 million with ESPN - but it may ultimately put his rematch with American Deontay Wilder in jeopardy.
Last December, Fury rose from the canvas to salvage a thrilling draw with WBC champion Wilder in Los Angeles - a performance that thrust him back into the boxing elite, after several years' absence.
Since then, the Brit has pursued his rival for a rematch, but this latest development may make that prospect harder to achieve.
The ESPN contract means the world's three top heavyweights - arguably - are now signed with three different American broadcast partners, making negotiations more difficult.
Fury's last fight with Wilder screened on Showtime, while IBF, WBA and WBO champion Anthony Joshua is committed to the DAZN streaming service.
But the 'Gypsy King' insists he is still focused on meeting Wilder again soon.
"As far as I am concerned the fight is more makeable now than ever, because we have the biggest boys in the game behind us," he says.
"If you're watching, Deontay, I'm coming for you, baby... and this time you won't rip me off."
Promoter Frank Warren admitted the deal would come as a shock to the Wilder camp, amid rematch negotiations, but he was sure ESPN's three million subscribers would be an added incentive for other fighters to take on Fury.
"They will now have to come to us," Warren said. "This ESPN situation for him is probably one of the biggest things to happen to a British sportsman.
"It's something special."
Newshub.
