WBC World heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder has revealed fresh demands for a potential undisputed heavyweight showdown with Anthony Joshua – insisting that he wants a 50-50 split in order for the bout to be made.
In an interview with Premier Boxing Champions, the unbeaten American confirmed his interest in the bout taking place with Joshua, but not on the terms currently on offer from the WBA/WBO/IBF champion.
“This fight definitely can be made.” said Alabama-native Wilder.
“I think the fight will be made. Just that this time around when you come to the table, you’ll have to come correct. This will be a 50-50 fight. And that’s the bottom line.”
Following months of prolonged negotiations in the media, Wilder had, according to his manager and advisor Shelly Finkel, agreed to terms for a September showdown with Joshua, but the bout never came to be finalised.
Wilder continued by stating that despite Joshua’s recent announcement that his next two bouts would be held at London’s Wembley Stadium, the initial correspondence with Matchroom Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn did not include a date or a venue for the proposed clash.
“We’ve tried everything… I’m not going to sign a contract that doesn’t have a date, that doesn’t have a venue.”
‘The Bronze Bomber’ who has won every one of his forty professional bouts – including thirty-nine by knockout – finished by stating that unless what he described as the “one-sided” contract was altered significantly, he would be willing to say goodbye to the lucrative contest with the London 2012 Olympic gold medallist.
“Nah, that’s one-sided. This contract is straight blind, one-sided, anyone who’s talking about ‘just sign it’ you can kiss me where the sun don’t shine, baby, because that ain’t never happening.” Wilder concluded.
With Anthony Joshua expected to announce a September bout with mandatory challenger Alexander Povetkin in the next couple of days, Wilder looks set to face compatriot Dominic Breazeale in a mandatory defence of his WBC crown.
With the two now almost certain not to meet one another until 2019, it remains to be seen whether a deal can be struck for Wilder to fulfil the second fight of Joshua’s exclusive deal with England’s national stadium – with an April 13th date confirmed for the British superstar in a press release last week.