Tyson Fury announces multi-million ESPN deal putting Deontay Wilder rematch in doubt

Fury has signed a multi-year multi-fight deal with the US broadcasting giant

Tyson Fury: 'Deontay Wilder is a big, useless dosser'

Tyson Fury has announced a multi-year multi-fight deal with US broadcasting giant ESPN and Bob Arum's Top Rank Promotions, throwing a potential rematch with Deontay Wilder into doubt.

Fury will now fight exclusively on ESPN in the States, in a reported £80m deal, while Wilder has a longstanding relationship with rival network Showtime, bringing negotiations between the two camps to a restart.

Fury confirmed that he would like to make his debut on ESPN before the end of May, and is welcome to all challengers.

Frank Warren also confirmed that Billy Joe Saunders will face Shefat Isufi for the WBO super-middleweight world title on 13 April.

Relive all the action from the press conference:

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[18 February 2019 12:40 · Tom Kershaw]

Fury on the Wilder fight:

I trained hard, it was what I wanted, everyone in my team said not to do it. I spoke to Billy Joe Saunders and he said it's a dare to be great move. Who would have thought after two fights against low-level opposition that I could come back on that level.

[18 February 2019 12:42 · Tom Kershaw]

I get a lot of support. The support I've had over the last few months has been great, it's been a fantastic journey. Everyone knows what happened by now: I was down and out, 28 stone, addicted to drugs and alcohol. Look at me today, as fit as an adonis, it's a Cinderella story and I'm living it.

[18 February 2019 12:44 · Tom Kershaw]

I'm just a fat bald-headed fella who's naturally gifted I suppose. I'm very proud of what I achieved because, when I was young, the odds of becoming a world champion was astronomical. I've been on an amazing journey, and as long as the sun shines there's going to be some rain too. I'm sat here as a man who's had glory, fame and a lot of pain too.

[18 February 2019 12:45 · Tom Kershaw]

How much do you burn for the rematch?

To be honest I'm happy with whatever happens in my life. I'm healthy and well sat here on the same night Adonis Stevenson got brain damage. It's a dangerous sport. I'm very happy just to be sat here fit as a fiddle, as healthy as a trout.

[18 February 2019 12:46 · Tom Kershaw]

Where does Anthony Joshua fit in all this:

Warren:

We tried to make the fight. It's a 50-50 fight, they tried to keep all the money. No one approached us to try and make the fight at all... We're on a bigger platform now with more subscribers. They're going to have to come to us now.

[18 February 2019 12:48 · Tom Kershaw]

Fury:

Am I going to cry if the Joshua fight never happens? No.

[18 February 2019 12:54 · Tom Kershaw]

[18 February 2019 13:15 · Tom Kershaw]

Billy Joe Saunders will challenge Shefat Isufi for the WBO super-middleweight world title.

[18 February 2019 13:16 · Tom Kershaw]

Billy Joe Saunders:

I got Tyson Fury who I look up to, to chat to every day, and it gives you that little bit more belief. I'm here, I'm fighting for the super-middleweight world championship. Will I be a better fighter, time will tell.

[18 February 2019 13:18 · Tom Kershaw]

I didn't do anything wrong with the drugs. From the BBBoC eyes, I did nothing wrong. It was only VADA who weren't happy with what they found. I alleged failed on the Wednesday and passed on the Saturday. The video incident was just getting carried away with myself a bit. I'm putting all that behind me now. I want to get back bigger and better than ever.