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Ahead of their much-anticipated Heavyweight championship rematch, things got a little testy between Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury during their pre-fight staredown at a recent press conference in Las Vegas, Nevada.
While it was nothing out of the ordinary, as several fighters have shoved one another and even come to blows during face offs (prime example here) in the past, Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) is taking measures to prevent any further dust ups between the two big men ahead of Saturday night’s (Feb. 22, 2020) affair.
According to longtime ESPN boxing reporter, Dan Rafael, NSAC officials will not allow Wilder and Fury to take part in the customary staredown after they weigh in.
“The Nevada State Athletic Commission has banned Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury from engaging in a face off after they weigh-in for their heavyweight championship rematch on Friday afternoon,” said the report.
Top Rank president, Todd duBoef, was not pleased with the decision.
“In my 25 years in boxing I’ve never heard of an administrative body stepping in and prohibiting a face off. It’s the pinnacle moment before the fight. I am just shocked.”
It truly is an unprecedented move, which could have some worried that perhaps the NSAC may likely opt to implement such a rule for future mixed marital arts (MMA) fights moving forward.
Then again, the heated staredown between Wilder and Fury could have been prevented, as no one was standing in between them from the jump. Had that measure been taken, we likely wouldn’t be having this discussion right now.
Where is Dana White when you need him?