Nigerian-born British heavyweight boxing champion of the world, Anthony Olaseni Oluwafemi Joshua may end up getting two potentially explosive bouts against his American rival, Deontay Wilder in the coming year.
Sports247.ng reports that this is sequel to a declaration by Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Hearn that Wilder will be offered two fights with ‘AJ,’ but refused to rule out Wladimir Klitschko with a ‘wild card in play’ for a Wembley title defence.
The Matchroom Boxing Promotions boss said he is still considering opponents for Joshua’s next fight, but affirmed that Wilder remains top of their prospects in 2019.
Hearn disclosed that the unified heavyweight champion, Joshua has instructed him to make a fresh attempt to agree a deal with Wilder, who defends his WBC title against Tyson Fury in Los Angeles next Saturday, December 1.
If Wilder successfully overcomes Fury, there is a three-week window to finally thrash out terms with the American’s team for two fights between the rival belt holders.
“If Fury wins and the rematch clause kicks in, we know we’ve got to move on ourselves, but my instruction is ‘Make that fight.’
“They haven’t really wanted to speak to me before it. Now when the fight’s over, if Wilder wins, we’ll be on him on Sunday, saying any chance now? Can we meet now? If they say no again, I don’t know what else we can do.
“If they are true to their word, on December 2, if they beat Tyson Fury, we will immediately start negotiations and we’ll see where we get to.
“April 13 is easy, and it’s a two-fight deal this time, the offer that we’ve made. One in America, one in the UK, we cannot say fairer than that.
“We’ve got to do our best to try and make it happen, and we’ll be doing that straight after the fight. We’ve been trying to do it for the last two months, but no, wait, wait, wait.
“We’ll wait and then we’ll have a go on December 2, and we’ve probably got three weeks to make the fight. It’s enough time, if everyone is sensible, but who knows whether they really want it deep down.”
Wilder’s co-manager Shelly Finkel also said he remains willing to resume negotiations with Hearn and added: “I have never rejected a call from Barry or Eddie. My phone is always open to them.”
