The Nevada State Athletic Commission has banned Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury from engaging in a faceoff after they weigh-in for their heavyweight championship rematch Friday afternoon, Top Rank president Todd duBoef told ESPN’s Dan Rafael on Thursday.
“In my 25 years in boxing I’ve never heard of an administrative body stepping in and prohibiting a faceoff,” duBoef said. “It’s the pinnacle moment before the fight. I am just shocked.”
A faceoff is customary after weigh-ins and is often the final moment the opponents are together until they step into the ring together. The much-anticipated rematch between Wilder (42-0-1, 41 KOs) and Fury (29-0-1, 20 KOs) will take place Saturday (ESPN-Fox PPV, 9 p.m. ET) at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
During their final news conference Wednesday, Wilder and Fury each pushed the other, causing security to rush on the stage.