Following the collapse of lengthy talks in 2018, Deontay Wilder and Anthony Joshua have been eyeing a collision in 2024. However, things could be about to go wrong again.
After discussions dragged on, Joshua was blamed for wasting Wilder’s summer five years ago before AJ pulled out to face Alexander Povetkin.
Wilder was livid and spoke to World Boxing News through his team throughout proceedings to divulge just how much he was messed about.
Well, WBN understands the same could be about to happen as a deadline is by Joshua’s team over a Saudi Arabia agreement. WBN also understands that Joshua is open to speaking to Tyson Fury about a fight in the spring of next year.
Both those reasons point to Joshua actively looking at other options for a December return. That’s before facing Fury in the first half of 2024. If that scenario transpires, Wilder will again have wasted ten months.
Back in November, World Boxing News released world-exclusive news. Wilder was open to dropping talks with Andy Ruiz Jr in favor of Joshua.
After months of contact, it all could go up in smoke for the second time.
Deja vu for Deontay Wilder vs Anthony Joshua
If the worst happens, it will be another body blow for Wilder in dealing with Joshua and his people. Back in 2018, WBN was at the forefront of negotiations.
With inside knowledge of what went down, the fight eventually collapsed despite being on the verge of a deal.
Shelly Finkel had ironed out several problems, and contracts were about to be exchanged when AJ announced the WBA would be forcing a mandatory.
We were just 48 hours away from Wilder agreeing to a fight in the UK against Joshua and taking a lot less money than was initially offered the other way.
‘The Bronze Bomber’ had bowed down to Joshua’s demand for $50 million for a Showtime Pay Per View in 2018.
As talks dragged on, Joshua eventually took the clash to his home country. Finkel was tearing his hair out at one point to get the deal done.
On the cusp of signatures, promoter Eddie Hearn stated the WBA wanted Joshua to fight Alexander Povetkin as his championship stipulation.
Finkel denied this was the case in an exclusive interview with WBN. The New Yorker said Joshua could request an exception from the WBA to delay Povetkin.
According to Finkel, Joshua obviously wanted the Povetkin option over Wilder.
“The organizations recognize a unification over a mandatory,” Finkel exclusively told World Boxing News at the height of talks.
“If you ask for an exception for a fight of this magnitude, I highly doubt they would say no.
Letdown
“So, if Anthony Joshua and Eddie Hearn wanted the fight, he could ask for an exception instead of saying the WBA is pressing him.
“Most likely, the WBA would have given it. This would not be an issue.
“The fact is, he’s never asked for an exception. Everyone knows it’s best for boxing to make this fight. But Joshua and his team are not interested in what the fans want.”
Deja vu.
