Promoter Eddie Hearn has once again called into question Deontay Wilder’s business dealings, claiming that he has offered to pay the WBC World heavyweight champion “three or four times more than everybody else” for potential bouts against Dillian Whyte and Dereck Chisora.
Following the breakdown in talks for an undisputed showdown between Wilder and WBA/WBO/IBF champion Anthony Joshua, Hearn – who promotes Joshua – has spoke again of his interest in matching the unbeaten American with two other members of his stable in the shape of Whyte and Chisora.
With both fighters claiming significant wins on the recent Whyte-Parker show at The O2 Arena, Hearn believes each man would be a viable option for ‘The Bronze Bomber’ to make a potentially career-high payday by fighting either man in a voluntary defence of his title.
Despite his offers, Wilder and his team have seemingly bushed off any such advances as they continue their pursuit of a blockbuster showdown with Anthony Joshua.
It is a move that forced Hearn to claim that Wilder “had lost the plot” before going on to outline potential deals to face either Whyte or Chisora at The O2 Arena.
“He [Wilder] has lost the plot at the moment.” said Hearn in an interview with Boxing News.
“He doesn’t know what he’s doing. He’s got a team of people around him that can’t pay him any money. We’re offering him a load of money and he thinks I’m an arsehole so he doesn’t really want to deal with me.”
“But when he realises I’m paying him three or four times more than everybody else!”
Following a spectacular come-from-behind victory against former World title challenger Carlos Takam on the Whyte-Parker undercard, Finchley heavyweight Dereck Chisora has emerged as a shock option for Wilder.
Chisora, who himself failed in a WBC World heavyweight title challenge against Vitali Klitschko in 2012, has also been vocal in his desire for a rematch with main event victor Dillian Whyte.
Hearn, however, would seemingly prefer either man to face Wilder in-front of what would surely be a sold out O2 Arena.
“But now I can put it on a plate, you’ve got Dillian Whyte, you’ve got Dereck Chisora.”
“He might look at ‘Del Boy’ and go, ‘I’ll have Del Boy.’ Imagine Wilder against Chisora at the O2.” Hearn finished.
With Wilder currently talking up a bout with former unified champion Tyson Fury, it would appear that any such deal to face Whyte or Chisora would be unlikely to be struck any time soon.
However, stranger things have happened in the sport, and with both men coming off of career-best victories, fans of the sport could well see Deontay Wilder in the ring with either Chisora or Whyte sooner than Anthony Joshua…