Eddie Hearn admits to previously getting ‘bitten in the bottom’ when attempting to make a fight between Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder.
Talks broke down over the summer as both sides failed to agree on terms. Hearn has since been accused of playing hardball by Wilder and his team.
Wilder went on to fight Tyson Fury instead and the rest…as they say…is history.
Moving forward, and holding out hope Wilder or Fury may delay a rematch after a blockbuster Fight of the Year last weekend, Hearn will no longer discuss details of negotiation over Joshua’s future fights.
“I won’t talk about the negotiations we’re having at the moment. I did that last time and it bit me in the bottom,’ Hearn told Sky Sports News.
“I’m going to stay quiet, keep this mush peeled and shut, and try and make the undisputed heavyweight fight. That’s the priority, it’s always been the priority, always been the plan.”
On Joshua preferring Wilder over Fury, Hearn added: “Josh still likes the Tyson Fury fight. I’ve spoken to him numerous times.
“Josh is in camp now in America, and he would love to fight Fury, he would.
“I’ve spoken to Fury yesterday, just said well done. I take my hat off to him. I was wrong. He proved me wrong against (Wladimir) Klitschko (in 2015). And he proved me wrong against Deontay Wilder.
“I think what he’s done is remarkable. But I still believe Anthony Joshua is hands down the best heavyweight in the world.
“I believe he knocks out Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury, but maybe I’ll be wrong again, but it’s a brilliant time for the heavyweight game.
“There is a rematch that could happen between Wilder and Fury. But if Wilder really wants to be the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world, he must fight Joshua next.
“Otherwise, we may just all miss the boat on that one. But anything can happen,” said the Matchroom boss.
UNDISPUTED
Chances are Wilder and Fury will rematch in the summer, potentially in Las Vegas or Manchester.
Once the return is done and dusted, dependent on the result, a third fight would almost certainly follow.
It all means Joshua’s undisputed plans are off the menu until 2020 and should give the winner of Dillian Whyte v Dereck Chisora 2 and either Kubrat Pulev, Jarrell Miller or both, the opportunity to challenge next year.
