Anthony Joshua's promoter Eddie Hearn is now “70 per cent confident" that the heavyweight unification mega-fight between the British heavyweight, who holds three of the world title belts, and American Deontay Wilder will happen this year.
Hearn will fly to New York mid-week for continued talks with Wilder's team as the two sides attempt to complete the contest for the first ever unification of the four major heavyweight belts. A guaranteed £36 million has been tabled for Joshua to defend the IBF, WBA and WBO belts in the United States.
Meanwhile, Shelly Finkel, the American boxer's co-manager who has been open about the negotiations, said on Saturday that Wilder's team are "quietly optimistic and positive" of the mega-fight going ahead.
The Sunday Telegraph understands that the offer from the American team is for the contest to take place in either New York or Las Vegas, in the final third of the year. It is likely that Las Vegas would offer the bulkiest overall financial package.
"Talks are ongoing, we’re all hopeful. Joshua wants the fight, Wilder wants the fight," Hearn told The Sunday Telegraph. "I saw people saying I don’t want the fight. Of course I want the fight. It’s the biggest fight out there. And I do believe they want the fight."
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Anthony Joshua is ready to face Deontay Wilder (Picture: Getty)
Anthony Joshua has revealed talks are ongoing with Deontay Wilder and he expects to fight his fellow heavyweight champion this year.
The IBF, WBO, and WBA (Super) champion is aiming to become the undisputed heavyweight champion, but must beat WBC king Wilder to claim that title.
Wilder has issued a $50million fight offer to Joshua and insisted the Brit must accept the offer before any contracts will be sent.
Joshua’s team have asked for further clarity about the specifics of Wilder’s offer, and the 29-year-old insisted he could not be so easily bought.
‘It will be this year. I’m really, really interested,’ Joshua said.
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‘You can’t just talk about finances, I know there’s financial gain.
Wilder is the WBC champion (Picture: Associated Press)
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‘You can’t just buy me out. I want to see the devil in the detail and build this fight to it’s full potential.
‘It’s potentially going to happen at the end of the year and we’re working tirelessly to make it happen.’
Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn has sent a host of questions over to Wilder’s team after receiving the $50m offer, with some queries as basic as where the fight would be held.
Hearn is now ’70 per cent confident’ Joshua will fight Wilder in 2018 and will fly to America next week to hold further talks with the American’s representatives.
He said: ‘Talks are ongoing, we’re all hopeful. Joshua wants the fight, Wilder wants the fight.
‘I saw people saying I don’t want the fight. Of course I want the fight. It’s the biggest fight out there. And I do believe they want the fight.’
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Anthony Joshua insists he WILL fight Deontay Wilder as protracted negotiations continue to make the super fight to decide the undisputed heavyweight world champion.
AJ holds the IBF, WBA Super and WBO titles, while The Bronze Bomber holds the WBC strap.
Offers and counter-offers have been released in public, but Joshua confirmed the fight with his American rival will happen.
"Potentially 95 percent this year," Joshua told Sky Sports Box Office when asked for an update on a potential matchup vs Wilder. "It’s the devil in the detail, I’m really interested.
"Let’s put that [finances] aside, you can’t just offer me a buyout fee, I’m not about that.
(Image: REUTERS)
(Image: Getty Images Europe)
"I want to look at the devil in the detail and get the fight at its full potential. He wants the fight in America.I want the fight in the UK, potentially it’s going to happen at the end of the year. It will [happen]."
(Image: Getty Images)
(Image: Getty Images)
AJ was at The O2 Arena to support his friend Tony Bellew, who beat David Haye again, this time by fifth round knockout, to settle their grudge match.
Joshua has already unified the heavyweight world titles this year, outpointing Joseph Parker in Cardiff, with a mouth-watering fight against Wilder now one of the most anticipated fights in the sport.
