Eddie Hearn has spoken out in response to rumours that Anthony Joshua might battle former WBC champion and infamous power-puncher, Deontay Wilder, subsequent 12 months.
Joshua and Wilder had been in negotiations again in 2018 after they had been each champions for an undisputed battle. These talks finally collapsed and the 2 went their separate methods.
Since then, each males have misplaced their world titles – however the aura of a battle and the way it might play out nonetheless stays. Each ‘AJ’ and Wilder are seen as the lads who revived the heavyweight scene of their respective international locations after a run of Japanese European dominance within the division.
In an interview with iFL TV, Hearn confirmed that he’s now on good phrases with Wilder’s group and cleared up any discussions of Wilder being Joshua’s subsequent opponent.
“The communication traces are good now, between me and Shelly Finkel [Wilder’s manager]. We’ve had numerous talks, numerous chats [but] till the coaching group in confirmed for AJ, we actually gained’t make any opponent choice as a result of we wish the enter of a coach.
We’ve acquired three or 4 guys that we’re speaking to and able to attempt to make a transfer for, however on the finish of the day, we’ve acquired to be sure that the coaching group are snug with that.”
“[Wilder] has been ordered to battle Andy Ruiz … I’m guessing that’s what he’s going to do subsequent. On the similar time, we’d like Dillian Whyte to battle Deontay Wilder within the interim or AJ in the summertime.
We should see nevertheless it seems like Wilder will battle Ruiz and AJ will battle on the finish of March/April and Dillian Whyte might battle as effectively and I feel they’re all going to return collectively in the summertime.”
While Joshua is ready to return to the ring early subsequent 12 months – seemingly towards neither Wilder or Whyte – he’s assured {that a} battle with Wilder will “positively occur” at one stage in 2023, The Mirror experiences.
Ought to or not it’s one other opponent within the interim, there are a selection of potentialities, with fighters ‘queuing up’ to battle the previous two-time champion.