Last night a good friend of mine and myself had the honor of having dinner and speaking with boxing Hall of Famer and current co-manager to WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder – Shelly Finkel.
The big news yesterday in boxing was that Wilder offered Anthony Joshua $50 million to face him in the ring next up.
Shelly explained further to us at dinner:
On Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn questioning the legitimacy of the offer, Shelly added:
“I know Barry Hearn and Eddie Hearn. Of course they know the money is there. A contract and proof of funds will be sent in short order once Joshua says he wants the fight.”
On the dynamics of the offer for Joshua, in principle, Shelly said:
“It would be $50 million dollars or 50% (of the net profit) – whichever is bigger.”
I asked him where they would want the fight, the UK or the US, to which Shelly replied:
“I didn’t mention it. That can be discussed, of course. Wherever it makes most sense. We just wanted to make an offer first – the very one which Joshua himself asked for.”
Eddie Hearn is currently in New York this week promoting an event at the Barclays Center this weekend featuring Katie Taylor, Danny Jacobs and Jarrell Miller.
Deontay Wilder’s last fight came against Luis Ortiz in a stoppage win at the Barclays that many thought was the best of his career.
Anthony Joshua also comes into a potential super fight with significant momentum coming off the back of a unification win recently against New Zealander Joseph Parker.
