Fight fans could welcome back action with a bumper schedule in July

Fight fans could welcome back action with a bumper schedule in July with Anthony Joshua and Conor McGregor in action plus Tyson Fury v Deontay Wilder III

  • Fans of combat sports could be in for a star-studded schedule come this July  
  • Anthony Joshua’s fight with Kubrat Pulev could be moved from June by a month
  • Tyson Fury’s title defence against Deontay Wilder is already slated for July 18
  • Conor McGregor is pencilled in to return to the octagon the week before   
  • Coronavirus symptoms: what are they and should you see a doctor?

Fight fans could welcome back boxing and MMA action with a bumper July schedule if the coronavirus crisis is quelled in time.

Every sport across the globe has been affected by the outbreak of the virus, with Euro 2020 moved, rugby union leagues postponed indefinitely and cricket tours cancelled, while the combat world has been no different. 

Olympic qualifiers have been suspended in London, while Billy Joe Saunders’ clash with Canelo Alvarez is in doubt in May due to the outbreak.

Anthony Joshua’s world heavyweight title fight against Kubrat Pulev could be moved to July

In MMA, UFC president Dana Whyte has confirmed the next three fight nights have been called off. 

Anthony Joshua’s clash with Kubrat Pulev had been slated for June, but now promoter Eddie Hearn has admitted that it may have to be re-arranged due to the ongoing disruption. 

Speaking on a possible postponement, Hearn said: ‘We do have a potential date in July but, right now, we are hoping June 20 can remain the date.’

A lot will rely on the availability of the Tottenham Stadium – where the fight is due to take place.  

That potential new date, thought to be July 25, would see it take its place in a trilogy of big fights over just 14 days.

Conor McGregor will also be in action at the beginning of the month againt Justin Gaethje

POTENTIAL JULY FIGHT CALENDAR 

July 11: McGregor vs Gaethje – UFC 

July 18: Fury vs Wilder – World Heavyweight title rematch

July 25: Joshua vs Pulev – World Heavyweight title clash

That is because Conor McGregor’s return to the octagon in UFC could be scheduled for July 11, with Justin Gaethje mooted as a possible opponent. 

McGregor’s striking coach recently told ESPN: ‘I think a fight on July 11 would bring the UFC back to life and get everybody back on track. 

‘My fingers are crossed and I’m sure the rest of the world fingers are crossed for that fight.’ 

The weekend after, Tyson Fury is slated to defend his recently-won world titles in his third – and what would be presumably final – clash with Deontay Wilder.

That, however, is also in doubt, given the fact the Gypsy King is now back under investigation by UKAD following claims revealed by the Mail on Sunday over his failed doping tests back in 2015. 

Fury is pencilled in to defend his WBC heavyweight title against Deontay Wilder that month




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