Deontay Wilder’s potential deal with streaming service DAZN has brought about a plethora of possibilities.
The WBC heavyweight champion has been offered a mega-money contract. Wilder is being asked to sign ahead of an undisputed unification with Anthony Joshua in 2020.
As WBN explained, Wilder would have two fights initially – worth a hefty $50m – before moving on to two clashes with AJ in 2020.
Candidates to face Wilder, should he agree the DAZN double in 2019, have since opened up significantly.
The first name to stick out is Dillian Whyte. This follows his recent promotional complaints in regards to a failed title shot.
Whyte was linked to moving to ESPN before stating his demands to Eddie Hearn for a stay at Matchroom Boxing.
“Progression and is a must. Eddie Hearn and Sky Sports just need to pull there finger out,” said Whyte.
“(They need to) land me a world title shot on good terms. So we have another world champion in the UK,” he added.
This means Hearn would have to nailed down a shot at Wilder for Whyte in order to keep the heavyweight happy.
Secondly, undisputed cruiserweight king Oleksandr Usyk is moving up to the top division. The Ukrainian is looking to grow into the weight before a title chance of his own.
Joshua would be the end-game. Although Wilder is currently the slightest in stature and would be a preferred target for Usyk.
Finally, Wladimir Klitschko is reported to be close to signing with DAZN. This would then mean Wilder v Klitschko could be on the shortlist.
MANDATORY
Wilder firstly has to put pen to paper. And also to address a World Boxing Council mandatory stipulation to face Dominic Breazeale.
Compatriot Breazeale was put forward as mandatory despite Whyte being ranked number one.
Recently explaining why, the WBC have called purse bids between Wilder and Breazeale.
On February 12, 2019, the WBC announced its Board of Governors unanimous ruling to order a fight for the WBC Interim Heavyweight World Title between Dillian Whyte and WBC Heavyweight Mandatory Challenger Dominic Breazeale. A fight to bring activity. And to attend the mandatory status of the division as a result of the WBC’s order for an immediate rematch.
On February 26, 2019, the WBC notified the Wilder and Fury camps that while Champion Wilder had confirmed to the WBC his wish to honor the WBC-ordered direct rematch with Fury, the latter had confirmed to his decision to fight a different opponent next.
Furthermore, Fury’s decision resulted in the WBC cancelling the Wilder vs. Fury direct rematch order.
In light of the sequence of events set forth above, the WBC Board of Governors have decided to enforce the ruling from The WBC Convention of October 2018. The WBC is hereby ordering the following:
WBC Champion Deontay Wilder shall fulfill his mandatory obligations by fighting Dominic Breazeale next.
This order constitutes the start of the free negotiations period. Champion Wilder’s mandatory defense of his title is set.
If no agreement is reached between the camps, the WBC shall conduct a purse offer ceremony on April 4, 2019 at the WBC Offices in Mexico City, Mexico.
