Former WBO Cruiserweight Champion, Johnny Nelson, has revealed the reason why he believes the proposed blockbuster clash between former heavyweight champions, Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder, is not going to happen anytime soon.
The two were linked to an undisputed title contest in 2018 when they held all four belts in the division between them. However, teams failed to reach an agreement in negotiations and, as a result, the bout failed to manifest.
Both men would lose their titles in 2020 and 2021 respectively.
This year, news that the pair were in talks once again invigorated some much-needed interest into the heavyweight division, with a deal seemingly done for the rivals to go head-to-head in Saudi Arabia in December.
Now, to the disappointment of fans around the globe, Eddie Hearn has confirmed that an offer has been taken off the table and that the fight has instead been touted for a potential showdown in April.
Nelson told Seconds Out why – and he believes it’s nothing to do with the Middle East money not being available anymore.
“To me, that [fight] is not good business, I wouldn’t do that. I’d be very surprised if that does happen, it’s not happening. It’s not happening because of common sense, which says we’ve got to get Anthony Joshua in a position where, when he gets in with Deontay Wilder, which could still happen eventually, he is the fighter that he needs to be.”
“The fighter that he needs to be, to get in with Deontay Wilder now, he is not there. So, he needs to find himself and own himself. They’ve got to pick the right opponent, that enhances his reputation, or they pick an opponent where it develops him on again and take the flack that comes with it, for not putting him in with a tougher test.”
