Deontay Wilder has reversed his decision to attend the forthcoming Anthony Joshua v Joseph Parker unification following an in-ring ban by Matchroom.
‘The Bronze Bomber’ had originally agreed to act as an analyst for the Showtime and Sky Sports coverage of the event until Joshua and promoter Eddie Hearn stated Wilder wouldn’t be allowed in the ring after the fight.
Wilder wanted to pose for a head-to-head with a view to drumming up further interest in an undisputed collision, although stepped away from TV duties when his request was denied.
“Unfortunately I’m not gonna be there,” confirmed Wilder on ThaBoxingVoice Podcast.
SKY SPORTS
“When I got hired with Sky Sports, I told them I would come and be a part of the party under one circumstance: If Joshua wins, I will get in the ring with him, look him in his eyes face to face and tell him that I wanna knock him out.
“They told me that wouldn’t be a problem. A few days later I get a phone call with my manager telling me I won’t be able to do that. Joshua’s been talking that he doesn’t want me in the ring, talking about having extra security. I even heard something about a restraining order!
“Eddie Hearn’s always talking about me being the only one to raise my profile. What better way to hype this ultimate unification bout? It’s free advertising. That was my whole reason to come over.”
With many other names in the frame for Joshua and Hearn pushing Dillian Whyte, Alexander Povetkin and Jarrell Miller as alternatives, Wilder could face being frozen out.
Whyte’s win over Lucas Browne has put him in a strong position and Wilder may now have to agree a WBC title defense against the Londoner in order to finally land a battle with Joshua.
