A heavyweight mega-fight between Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder appears to be edging ever closer after Eddie Hearn vowed to send the American a lucrative contract this week.
Wilder claimed on Monday night that he had accepted AJ’s latest offer to fight in the UK this autumn, seemingly opening the door for the money-spinning showdown to take place in September or October.
The two camps have been locked in negotiations for months but Joshua had looked set to first face WBA mandatory challenger Alexander Povetkin in September as a deal with Wilder continued to elude them.
Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder could soon agree a deal for a heavyweight showdown
Wilder claimed on Monday night that he accepted AJ’s latest offer to fight in the UK
But after Wilder’s latest comments — reiterated by both his trainer Jay Deas and co-manager Shelly Finkel — it appeared a breakthrough had been made.
Matchroom chief Hearn claimed on Tuesday, however, that he must first verify whether Wilder is truly prepared to make the fight.
‘It’s great that he has come back to us, we made this offer about four weeks ago. I don’t know whether he’s come back because he’s heard we’re close to closing the Povetkin fight or whether he wants the fight,’ he told Sky Sports.
‘But either way, he’s going to be getting a contract from us ASAP. He does a lot of talking on social media so we’ll see whether it’s bluster or whether he knows that the Povetkin is in the balance.
He added: ‘We’ll find out the truth in the next week or so once the paperwork is in front of him.’
Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn said Wilder will receive a contract by the end of this week
The winner of the showdown would become the first heavyweight to hold all four major belts
The winner of the much-anticipated showdown would become the first heavyweight to hold all four major belts and the first undisputed king of the division since Lennox Lewis.
But talks have hit regular stumbling blocks over purse split and venue. Joshua, who holds the WBA, IBF and WBO belts, is adamant he has earned the right to have the fight in the UK.
Wilder says he is happy to fight on AJ’s turf but Hearn says they still have a long way to go before a deal is done.
‘We have missed a little bit of time on the venues we want to be in. We see this as a Wembley fight and we’re quite limited in that respect. Obviously American TV and PPV have to be considered so we’ll to speak to them about what date suits them so there’s still a lot to work out but certainly if he is real then this is good news.
He added: ‘We move to put everything in place to make sure we can maximise the revenue, of where and when this can be, and hopefully get him to sign a contract.
‘One thing I can tell you is that by the end of this week, Deontay Wilder will have a contract in front of him and we’ll see if he’s real.
‘I can tell you is that by the end of this week, Deontay Wilder will have a contract,’ Hearn said
An announcement on Joshua’s next fight is imminent, so it remains to be seen if Wilder’s public claims – which have occasionally been viewed with scepticism by the Hearn camp in the past couple of months – can have a late bearing on the order of events.
Wilder had previously attempted to lure Joshua to fight in the US with a $50million offer, but Joshua and Hearn have been firm in their stance that the match-up should happen in Britain.
Wilder posted on Monday night: ‘The $50M offer for Joshua to fight me next in the US is still available to him if he wants it.
‘In addition to that, today I agreed to their offer to fight Joshua next in the U.K. If Joshua prefers the fight in the UK. the ball is in their court. It’s up to them to choose US or UK. I’m in.’
Wilder’s manager Shelly Finkel separately indicated to World Boxing News that October is an option as well as September, which would go some way to quell one of Hearn’s concerns about a September date clashing with Canelo Alvarez’s return from a drugs suspension.
Joshua remains heavily linked with fighting Alexander Povetkin this year, before facing Wilder
Finkel claimed Wilder had agreed to a rematch clause.
‘The story is very simple and that is Deontay Wilder today, accepted the terms that Anthony Joshua’s team gave us,’ he said.
‘If for any reason Anthony changes his mind and wants to fight in the U.S, the $50m offer we have made to him is still there. It’s now in Joshua’s court.
‘It will take place in the UK either September or October according to Eddie Hearn.
‘Hopefully, we’ll get an answer in the next day or two. Deontay wrote to Joshua and said: “Hey, I accept your offer, let’s fight in the UK”.
‘I met with Barry (Hearn) a week ago and have been on the phone to himself and Eddie regularly this week. We want the fight next, we’re waiting for the contract and we’re ready to go.’