Promoter Eddie Hearn has revealed that talks with Deontay Wilder’s representatives are not progressing as hoped due to disagreements over the location for the Anthony Joshua fight.
Hearn and Joshua would like to stage the undisputed heavyweight championship bout in the UK while Wilder is eager to defend his WBC title in America. ‘The Bronze Bomber’ and his team even offered Joshua a guaranteed amount of $50 million for ‘AJ’ to defend his WBA, WBO, IBF & IBO titles across the Atlantic.
The message from Hearn is clear as he intends to get a deal done in the next two weeks in hopes of Wilder accepting to fight in Joshua’s backyard.
“We are probably about two weeks away from a decision on AJ’s next fight. September has been earmarked for his return and all focus remains on Deontay Wilder,” said Hearn according to the Daily Mail.
“AJ and the team believe that after everything that’s been built here, the UK should be the home of this historic undisputed bout and conversations continue with the Wilder camp,” he continued.
But if the two parties can’t come to an agreement, Hearn has a backup plan already set in motion.
“Povetkin is the likely choice if Wilder refuses to travel. Povetkin is the WBA mandatory so both fights are extremely dangerous. A Wilder fight in the US stands as Joshua’s most lucrative option, but he is willing to accept a lesser payday for home advantage,” said the promoter.
Povetkin finished strong in Cardiff when he demolished David Price with a devastating knockout win and the Russian apparently has no issues facing Joshua in the UK.
However, Wilder recently said that should the anticipated fight against the Briton happen, the date will be in September or November.
“If we have it [the fight] in England, it’ll be September but if it’s here in America then it’ll be November,” stated the WBC World heavyweight champion according to Fight Hub TV.