EXCLUSIVE: Eddie Hearn contradicted himself on Joshua v Wilder negotiations – says Shelly Finkel
Lawrence Lustig / Ryan Hafey
Shelly Finkel has responded to Eddie Hearn and revealed he is expecting to receive a contract from Matchroom by Friday for Wilder to fight Joshua next.
Earlier this week, Finkel told WBN that Team Wilder had agreed terms for a unification showdown in the UK later this year with a rematch clause in place for 2019 for the States.
“The story is very simple and that is Deontay Wilder today, accepted the terms that Anthony Joshua’s team gave us,” Finkel exclusively told World Boxing News in an interview on Monday.
“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.
READ: WORLD EXCLUSIVE: Deontay Wilder ACCEPTS Anthony Joshua terms with REMATCH CLAUSE for 2018 UK CLASH – says Shelly Finkel
The WBC champion’s co-manager is now hoping Hearn’s talk of sending a contract over to the U.S is sincere.
“When Deontay Wilder said he accepted the terms, we also requested contract from Barry and Eddie. Now that Eddie has said publicly we will have it by Friday I hope that’s real and we get it,” Finkel exclusively told World Boxing News in an update on Tuesday evening.
“We’ve made it clear, we’ve accepted their offer, we’re ready to come the UK and we’ve also confirmed that the $50 million offer to fight in the U.S. is still available to Joshua if he wants it.
“Eddie said we will get a contract Friday and we await it,” he added.
Hearn admitted Wilder’s acceptance took him by surprise following WBN’s exclusive interview with Finkel after ‘The Bronze Bomber’ then took to social media to confirm the news.
Finkel has questioned Hearn’s motives ahead of the most crucial week between both teams. He said: “In one breath he says in a newspaper, ‘I speak to him every day,’ and he then says, ‘I haven’t spoken to them for weeks,’.
“You speak to us every day or you haven’t spoken to us for four weeks? Which one is it? I met Barry on June 1. That was 11 days ago.
“Obviously, some of Eddie’s quotes are contradictory. Just be honest because eventually you will get called out.
“We are hopeful that the contract he sends is one that will result in this fight happening rather than a contract that guarantees it won’t happen.
“This is the fight the fans want and so do we, we’ll find out soon if the Joshua side wants it,” added Finkel.
Joe Hewlett is lead writer for World Boxing News. Follow Joe on Twitter @Hewlett95