English boxing promoter Eddie Hearn has given the latest on negotiations between Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder pertaining to a potential super fight.
Anthony Joshua it was confirmed today will take on Russian Alexander Povetkin in his next bout this coming September.
But the April date next year for a potential 100,000 capacity Wembley stadium fight with Wilder has been kept free for the possible heavyweight unification bout.
In recent weeks following talks breaking down between Joshua and Wilder, Wilder’s team have mentioned that the previous $15 million flat fee offer to Wilder is now off the table as the bout is not happening straight away next.
Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn however does not appear to be willing to change his stance at all in the negotiations, despite the new potential date being all the way next April.
Speaking to Kugan Cassius of IFL TV, Eddie Hearn said:
“We’re going to send them a signed contract from Anthony Joshua. No (we’re not changing the offer). When we’re in America we’re going to get this contract to Shelly Finkel (Wilder’s co-manager) all signed and say, there you go my son, April 13th, it’s done. All you got to do is sign it.”
Hearn later added some interesting sound effects and noises comparing where both Joshua’s and Wilder’s fame levels are going at the moment.
Pointing to that in his opinion, Joshua’s star is going to rise from his next fight while Wilder’s will either decline or remain the same.
He added:
“No. No. You either take it or we watch probably the best fight out there, certainly in the next couple of months, Dillian Whyte vs Joseph Parker. If Dillian Whyte can knock out Joseph Parker and Deontay doesn’t want the fight, we’ll just do Whyte vs Joshua.”
Those hoping for the Joshua vs Wilder super fight continue to be frustrated with these protracted talks.
The risk both men are taking in terms of playing the waiting game for the fight, particularly in the heavyweight division where one punch can change the trajectory of a career, is considerable.
Niall Doran is the Founder and Managing Editor of Boxing News and Views. You can follow him on Twitter @NiallerDoran and on Instagram @niallerdoran
