Due to hand injury to Stiverne, Sulaiman has taken a lenient stance towards pushing the two into preliminary discussions for the clash and will encourage – rather than stipulate, that talks should begin by next month.
“The WBC will send out the letter of free negotiations by mid-August due to the fact that Stiverne will be only ready to fight starting November,” Sulaiman explained to World Boxing News on Thursday.
“I can assure everybody that the next fight in the heavyweight division for the WBC title is Bermane Stiverne vs Deontay Wilder, and once everything is final between both sides, the fight can then take place.”
Stiverne, 35, claimed the coveted green belt with a pulverising display against Chris Arreola in May and was immediately aware that Wilder would be his next foe due to his own delay in securing an initial challenge for the title.
Undefeated Wilder took out Malik Scott in the very first round back in March, his 31st win from 31 bouts inside four rounds and the 28 year-old has already begun a tirade on social media against the new world champion.
The prolonged build-up will only add to the interest in the fight though as Stiverne took over the mantle from Vitali Klitschko, whom the fans had grown tired of due to the lack of action in the Ukrainian’s bouts.
Boxing’s top table has a new lease of life at the moment, and with the likes of Wilder getting his rightful shot after putting together such an impressive run, fans can look forward to an explosive battle once the two finally share the ring.
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