Tyson Fury's undisputed heavyweight title fight with Anthony Joshua is in turmoil after an arbitrator ruled 'The Gypsy King' must fight Deontay Wilder before September 16.
Fury and Joshua have recently agreed terms on a two-fight contract to unify boxing's four big titles, with the first set for August 15 in Saudi Arabia.
But former WBC champion Wilder, who Fury dismantled in February 2020, took his grievances to arbitration, after a trilogy fight between the two couldn't be agreed.
Retired US judge Daniel Weinstein examined the case and according to ESPN he has ruled in Wilder's favour, effectively scrapping plans for the all-British unification bout.
While there is room for an appeal by Fury, the August date for the first fight against Joshua is likely to be pushed back while the case is heard.
Other alternatives would be for Fury to vacate the WBC title and fight Joshua for IBF, WBO and WBA titles, or Wilder could be tempted by a financial settlement with the right to fight the winner.
Joshua's Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn, nor Fury's Bob Arum have yet to comment.
