It appears that the transatlantic tear-up between Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder isn’t as far along as some believe.
The two former champions have been linked to fight for some time now, and fans are well aware that it’s going to take mega money from Saudi Arabia to make it happen.
Both have commented positively on the fight, and it’s touted for December.
Many reports last week quoted promoter Eddie Hearn saying that he had an offer but no contract for the fight, however Amar Abdallah of Skill Challenge Promotions in Saudi Arabia has said otherwise.
Speaking to Boxing King Media, the outfit’s Head of Boxing confirmed the well-known interest in the fight, but said categorically that there had been no offer.
“There has not been any offer made. Is there interest in the fight? Yes. But has there been an official offer made? The answer is no – and if there is it will come from Skill Challenge directly.”
Asked if he sees the point of view that the lure of Saudi fights is stalling the heavyweight division, Abdallah said he didn’t understand how what his promotion was doing could be perceived as negative.
“Boxing is a very fragmented sport. You have the biggest fights and the best fights can’t be made because of network obligations, because of promoters clashing, managers clashing, sanctioning bodies.
What Skill Challenge is doing is coming in and not competing with anybody. We’re unifying the sport … bringing all the best fights together under one umbrella.”
Joshua and Wilder are expected, but not confirmed, to fight in December. They’re both expected, but not confirmed, to fight beforehand as well.
Tyson Fury is looking for a September opponent but it’s proving difficult, and Oleksandr Usyk will face Daniel Dubois in August before commencing a deal with Skill Challenge in Saudi that will hopefully see him face Fury – although that has not been confirmed.