Eddie Hearn has ‘no doubts’ that the long awaited clash between Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder will get made and that unified champion, Oleksandr Usyk will be on the undercard.
It’s no secret the Saudi Arabian promotional outfit, Skill Challenge, had hoped to host AJ-Wilder and Tyson Fury-Usyk on the same night in a mega card this December.
It now looks like half of that plan is nearly signed, with Hearn telling Boxing Social that he is confident the Wilder fight will get made after meeting with Saudi representatives this week.
“We’re in a good place. I’ve told you all along our relationship with Prince Khalid and Skill Challenge is very good. It does take time, there’s no doubt about it, but they flew over to have meetings with us, numbers were discussed, we’re moving forward, paperwork is coming, they’re staying on and we’re seeing them again on Monday which is a great sign.
I have no doubts that we’ll get this fight made, no doubts at all. But also our focus is on August 12 to make sure we deliver that.”
The other half of the night, which would be for the undisputed heavyweight championship of the world, looks far from likely at this point. Frank Warren, who promotes the WBC champion, confirmed recently that Fury would not be fighting the Ukrainian in December.
Hearn backed up these comments claiming ‘The Gypsy King’ won’t be taking the fight, but did reveal that Usyk will ‘100%’ still appear on the card, most likely against IBF number 1 ranked fighter, Filip Hrgovic.
“Yes, 100% [Usyk will be on the undercard]. Filip Hrgovic maybe, he’s next in line. If Tyson Fury doesn’t take the fight, which he’s not, then obviously Usyk has to fight his mandatory.”
