Promoter Eddie HearnMatchroom Boxing) responded to the words of manager Shelley Finkel, who yesterday called on the businessman to meet at the negotiating table and finally make the long-awaited fight of former heavyweight world champions – British Anthony Joshua (24-3, 22 KOs) and American Deontay Wilder (43-2- 1, 42 KOs).
Hearn is not sure about the sincerity of Wilder’s manager, because the American already has an opponent – in the final of the WBC eliminator he has to fight compatriot Andy Ruiz: . But I do not rule out that they really consider the fight with Joshua a priority option. Therefore, I will call Finkel today.”
Boss Matchroom Boxing claims that “he has a lot of options for Wilder. It’s not just the fight with Joshua. I also have Dillian Whyte. And I have not given up on the idea of making this fight. To be honest, I would love to do both of those fights. Speaking directly about Joshua, he will return to the ring at the end of March. Can we say that Wilder is one of the candidates for the fight? Maybe. I want to emphasize that I am ready to start negotiations.”
Hearn is open about his pre-planned Joshua vs. Wilder fight for the second half of next year: “I just remember they had an elimination fight with Ruiz and all that. Therefore, I planned around the summer of 2023. Don’t forget that White defeated Jermain Franklin at the weekend and is now up for a fight with Joshua. But I fully understand that Deontay vs. Anthony is one of the greatest fights in boxing. So I’m open to negotiations. We are ready to take this fight next or in one fight.”
Earlier, Hearn stated that Franklin is also a candidate for the fight with Joshua. Rumor has it that White and Joshua agreed to fight immediately after Dillian’s victory. But Anthony claims that it was not so – he admitted what he said to White after he passed Franklin.
