Strong suggestions have led fans to believe there could be some real movement on an undisputed clash between Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder.
Despite Sky’s Head of Boxing Adam Smith stating to WBN that the fight was unlikely this year and Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn stating the likes of Jarrell Miller and Alexander Povetkin could be next for the four-belt champion, there are positive signs coming from both sides.
Firstly, Wilder’s co-manager Jay Deas told World Boxing News: “We are glad Joshua said what he said. We accept! Send contracts immediately. UK we are on the way!”
Then, Barry Hearn from the Matchroom side says talks are set to begin in earnest.
“Anthony Joshua wants all the belts – that is the big card Deontay Wilder has got to play (but) commercially, Joshua is far bigger than Deontay Wilder,” Hearn told BBC Radio 5 Live.
“I think Wilder would come over here because in the world we live in, in boxing, the couple of million dollars Wilder is getting for a fight is pretty small fry in comparison to the rewards that await him for a Joshua fight. Travelling is not usually a problem if the money is right.
“But I still think in the long term, if Anthony sits down and thinks it through, he may come to the decision that to be a truly global sportstar he needs to go to America – not just for the money – but, in terms of the brand value of AJ, fighting in America is going to be on his horizon.
“I wouldn’t rule out AJ fighting in America despite his comments last night.”
In a further cementing of those talks, Gareth A. Davies of The Telegraph spoke to Wilder’s advisor Shelly Finkel who revealed potential terms.
“We are happy to come over and meet face to face. We think a 60/40 split is fair. Let’s not have any roadblocks, let’s make the fight. If they want it in the UK, fine. If they want the first one in Vegas, fine,” Finkel told Davies in his Telegraph article.
All signs are positive at the moment, although the final decision will ultimately lie with Joshua, who has a plethora of options open to him.
