Promoter Eddie Hearn has launched an expletive-laden tirade at WBC World heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder – accusing the American of wasting his time with negotiations for a bout with unified champion Anthony Joshua.
Speaking in the aftermath of Demetrius Andrade capturing the WBO World middleweight title with a unanimous decision victory over Walter Kautondokwa, Hearn told IFL TV:
“I’m sick and tired of idiots out there who thinks he [Wilder] wants the fight. How stupid do you have to be to think Deontay Wilder wants this fight [against Joshua]?”
“Boring, boring, boring. Mate f*** off. Mate, [Wilder\ you haven’t earned three million bucks. F**** sake. You can walk up any city, any high street, any town in the world and ask anyone who Deontay Wilder is – no one’s got a f****** clue!” raged Hearn.
The comments from Hearn were in response to the unbeaten American’s claim that in order for a bout to take place against WBA/WBO/IBF kingpin Joshua, he would request a 60-40 split in negotiations.
“He ain’t even going to do 300k pay per views on Showtime! and you want 60/40? Idiot!” seethed Hearn.
Following the launch of Matchroom Boxing USA – alongside a broadcast deal with streaming giant DAZN – Hearn has emerged as arguably the sport’s highest-profile promoter. With a slew of new dates and fighters to manage, it appears that the Essex-man is in no mood for what he perceived to be ‘time wasting’ from Wilder and his team.
“I’ve got no time for time wasters! Give me someone that wants to fight Joshua: not talk about it to try and raise their profile.
“I’m sick and tired of those idiots out there who think he [Wilder] wants the fight.
“Don’t waste our time. Don’t use Joshua’s name to gain profile and publicity. If that’s what he really thinks please don’t f**king waste my time. I’m really f**king busy!” he finished.
With Wilder headed for a mammoth heavyweight showdown with lineal king Tyson Fury on December 1st, it would appear that the latest round of public sparring has well and truly put any thoughts of Joshua-Wilder firmly on the back-burner.
Whether the two camps will come to a middle-standing ahead of Joshua’s return to Wembley Stadium on April 13th also remains unclear – with former Joshua opponent and bitter rival Dillian Whyte the current favourite to be in the opposing corner.