Promoter Eddie HearnMatchroom Boxing) confirmed that he was in talks with the team of former WBC heavyweight champion American Deontay Wilder (43-2-1, 42 KOs) regarding a potential superfight with former WBA Super, IBF and WBO belt holder Briton Anthony Joshua (24-3, 22 KOs).
But the businessman gave clearly
understandthat this duel will take place not earlier than next summer. And that is unlikely: “Now we have excellent communication with Wilder’s manager Shelley Finkel. We had a lot of conversations, a lot of things discussed. But I want to make it clear to you right away that until Joshua decides on his new coaching team, there will be no movement from us to find the next opponent – the coach should also participate in making such a decision.
According to Hearn, “Now we have 3-4 fighters on the pencil, with whom we are ready to conduct substantive negotiations. But, again, we need a coach. We need to get his consent. About Wilder… As far as I understand, his fight (WBC eliminator) against Andy Ruiz is already booked. I think he will box with him. At the same time, I do not hide the fact that I still want to make him a duel against Dillian Whyte. It would be such an intermediate fight before meeting with Joshua. Although I do not rule out that Anthony himself will fight with White. But not now, but in the summer.
It looks like Joshua will have a passing opponent first: “We’ll see… But it looks like Wilder will fight Ruiz, and Joshua will fight in March-April. It is possible that White will enter the ring around the same time. And then we’ll see how it all fits together next summer.”
Legendary British champion Ricky Hatton makes no secret that Usyk vs. Fury is a tough fight, but I want to see other heavyweights fight. Ex-rival Joshua addressed the fans: Do not rush to write off Anthony, he will beat Wilder.
