All word from both sides has been that a fight between Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder is close to being finalised for early 2024 in Saudi Arabia.
The battle of the two former-champions is high on the lists of boxing fans, but has historically struggled when it comes to putting pen to paper.
That seems to have changed this year, with neither man currently holding titles and therefore mandatory challengers. Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, has previously said that the fight is ‘nailed on’, but has more recently said talks are ongoing.
Skill Challenge Promotions of Saudi are said to be keen on making it happen, and Wilder’s side are onboard according to them.
However, Tyson Fury’s brother and teammate, Shane, has now revealed that the word behind the scenes is the fight is not on. Speaking to Boxing King Media, he said that the fight was ‘dead in the water’ and that Hearn was ‘full of s**t.’
“Eddie Hearn does say a lot of things doesn’t he?
He’s been promising that negotiations have been going on for Deontay Wilder and Joshua, but I can tell you inside information that it’s dead in the water. In the water. Listen, I’m not going into that cause it’s not my thing, but he’s full of s**t half the time.”
Asked for further information, Shane seemed to suggest that Skill Challenge were not currently working on the fight.
“It’s not happening with the people what he’s messing with, anyway.”
That’s not the information from Hearn, who recently told Boxing Social Wilder was still the plan for early next year. Joshua’s longterm promoter said that there may be an interim December fight for his man if the Saudi bout wasn’t signed for January.