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Home » Hearn OPENS TALKS for Joshua v Wilder, reveals why UNDISPUTED clash NEEDS TO HAPPEN NEXT

Hearn OPENS TALKS for Joshua v Wilder, reveals why UNDISPUTED clash NEEDS TO HAPPEN NEXT

With a WBA / WBO mandatory due against Alexander Povetkin, and Kubrat Pulev v Dillian Whyte ordered by the IBF, Joshua will soon have to begin facing his stipulated challengers before the Londoner runs the risk of losing his belts.

Addressing this concern, Hearn confirmed talks are underway after reaching out to Wilder’s team.

“I saw Deontay Wilder’s Instagram post and it’s very confusing,” Hearn told Sky Sports.

“Whoever is supposed to be calling or emailing me needs to update their contacts because once again it was us initiating the conversation.

“I called Al Haymon’s team yesterday and spoke with Showtime last night and discussions are ongoing.

“I have a meeting with Anthony and Trainer Rob (McCracken) tomorrow where we will map out the rest of 2018.

“I will say it once again, the window for fighting Wilder is 2018, otherwise we will risk it not being an undisputed fight.

“Anthony wants the fight and I’m very confident it will happen,” he added.

Despite being linked to facing Povetkin next, Joshua could agree the Wilder blockbuster under the terms of ‘an undisputed fight overruling a mandatory’ – so effectively needs the American next.

Without Wilder, Joshua would have to defend against Povetkin and then the winner of Pulev v Whyte, potentially leaving the Wilder encounter on the backburner until 2019.

The ball is seemingly in Wilder’s court in regards to getting the fight over the line, as any further stalling will only delay ‘The Bronze Bomber’ from realizing his own ambition of cleaning out the division.

The WBC have given Wilder complete freedom to negotiate the contest, whilst the WBO and WBA would be happy to approve the fight on the stipulation that the winner then faces Povetkin.