Anthony Joshua promoter questions whether $50 million offer from Deontay Wilder is legit

ANTHONY JOSHUA’S promoter Eddie Hearn has expressed caution over an offer of 50 million US dollars from rival champion Deontay Wilder for a world heavyweight title unification fight.

Wilder, who holds the WBC version of the title, made the unusual move of emailing Joshua directly to insist his backers had the money โ€“ worth ยฃ35.9million โ€“ for a bout which could take place later this year.

Hearn explained that he still required plenty of assurances before committing to any deal, while Joshuaโ€™s heavyweight rival David Haye says he still does not anticipate a fight between the two until at least 2019.


Hearn said talks that he expected to happen with Wilderโ€™s representatives in New York on Thursday were called off, but he added that he is still optimistic a deal to make the biggest bout in the division was drawing closer.

He told Sky Sports News: โ€œWe were supposed to meet today with (Wilderโ€™s promoter) Shelly Finkel and (manager) Al Haymon. They cancelled that meeting, which was disappointing. Iโ€™ve requested a meeting for tomorrow. Weโ€™ll see if we can get on that one.

โ€œThere is no deal โ€“ thereโ€™s no contract, thereโ€™s no serious offer. We have to determine if it is a PR move or a genuine offer.

If war breaks out tomorrow I know I got my army besides me #AJBXNG

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โ€œFor a fighter to send another fighter an email telling them theyโ€™ve got this money is very strange, but it is a wonderful PR move.

โ€œI think itโ€™s bringing the fight closer. From our side absolutely no doubt this is the fight that Anthony Joshua wants next. I believe Deontay Wilder wants this fight next so thatโ€™s always a great move.โ€

Joshua added the WBO title to the IBF and WBA belts he already owned when he dispatched Joseph Parker in a gruelling contest in Cardiff last month.


Meanwhile Wilder extended his professional record to 40 straight wins when he produced a superb 10th-round knockout over Luis Ortiz to retain his own title last month.

Haye, who takes on Tony Bellew in a rematch of their heavyweight bout in London on May 5, believes Wilderโ€™s offer was mostly bluster.

โ€œI have never head of a negotiation done like that, if there is 50 million today, why isnโ€™t there 50 million tomorrow. There is a 12 oโ€™clock deadline which kind of makes me question the legitimacy of it. Fifty million is a lot of money to rustle up.

โ€œBut itโ€™s good hype for the fight, itโ€™s a talking point, they throw big numbers about and it gets traction and hits but my gut says that fight doesnโ€™t happen this year.โ€

Wilder has reportedly agreed to make the next defence of his WBC crown against fellow American Dominic Breazeale, whom Joshua dispatched with ease in an IBF title defence two years ago.

But Hearn is clearly determined that if a deal between Joshua and Wilder can be done, the unification contest should take place sooner rather than later.

Hearn added:ย โ€œThis is the fight that boxing needs: an undisputed heavyweight championship of the world must be made. Letโ€™s forget โ€˜afterโ€™, letโ€™s do it now.โ€

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