Joshua and Wilder both completed their most recent obligations to the relevant organizations and fans around the world are clamoring to see the pair lock horns at Wembley in the summer.
Hearn has a three-fight plan for Joshua in 2018. Although facing Deontay Wilder would potentially mean dropping that blueprint to two in order to maximize the timeline to promote what would be the biggest heavyweight fight for some time.
On the back of Wilder winning his clash with Bermane Stiverne and looking devastating in doing so, manager Jay Deas, co-promoter Lou DiBella, and Wilder himself have all stated they want the Joshua fight without delay.
“Both Deontay and Anthony overcame changes of opponents and handled business, dispatching their mandatories, so now the only business to talk about is Wilder vs Joshua,” Deas exclusively told World Boxing News this week.
“These mandatories were a week apart from each other. So the schedules line up perfectly for the match the World wants to see.
“My understanding is that Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn is in New York currently. This is ideal as our promoter Lou DiBella and my co-manager Shelly Finkel are also in New York and Al Haymon is only a call away.
“Our team is ready, willing, and able to meet at Eddie’s earliest convenience.”
In the immediate aftermath of what was a stunning and explosive win for Wilder, the American challenged Joshua to meet him anywhere in the world and Deas has no problem with traveling to seal the deal.
“I’ve been waiting for a long time baby. I know I’m the champion, I know I’m the best. Is you up for the test?” said Wilder.
Speaking further on the matter, Deas added: ”This is a fight the fans deserve. Deontay wants the fight more than anything.
“He’s been extremely frustrated that when he accepts the biggest challenges. Like being the first American heavyweight champion to defend his title in Russia (Povetkin) or take on the man they say no one wants to fight (Ortiz), these fights haven’t happened through no fault of Deontay’s.
“It doesn’t matter to me. It certainly doesn’t matter to Deontay, where the fight is held.
“Wilder-Joshua is the biggest fight that can be made It can be made!
“I encourage all fans to get behind this. You deserve it. Deontay and Anthony deserve it. The sport deserves it,” he added.
Frustrated promoter DiBella is keen to talk turkey with Hearn as soon as possible.
“Hmmm, now here’s an idea. One Champion. One Face. One Name…isn’t that what boxing needs? It’s what Deontay Wilder fights for. No excuses,” he said.
DEONTAY WILDER UNIFY
Joshua was planning a WBA mandatory for March, despite not official challenger being in place, before keeping his fingers crossed Tyson Fury would be ready for the summer.
Putting an agreement in place with Wilder takes away any doubt surrounding a massive June or July stadium outing and means both champions would have several months to prepare for their encounter.
Fury is unlikely to be fully ready until the end of 2018 or even the summer of 2019, which would leave Joshua and Wilder free to unify the belts further. He could even squeeze in another multi-strap battle with Joseph Parker by the end of the year.
