Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder are closing on a deal for their heavyweight showdown in December.
Joshua returned to the ring last month outpointing Jermaine Franklin as he looked to begin his rebuild following two defeats by Oleksandr Usyk. It was expected initially 'AJ' would return in the summer with a rematch against British rival Dillian Whyte the most likely option for his next fight.
However reports emerged that was being eyed by the Middle East to form part of a four-man heavyweight tournament featuring Wilder, Tyson Fury and Usyk. The first part of the format would see him settle his rivalry with 'The Bronze Bomber' in December with the other two potentially clashing for the undisputed titles.
It appeared the fight was drawing closer this week when Joshua suggested a clash with Wilder was at the centre of his mind in a viral video. Now the former two-time champion's promoter Hearn has revealed that both camps are already on board with the fight and it will proceed to advanced negotiations in due course.
"We’re being told that Wilder’s in," Hearn said to Boxing Social in an interview when asked about negotiations to fight Wilder. "And, subject to finalising some of the terms, we’re in. So, in his mind, he’s fighting Deontay Wilder in December. Once that gets papered, we then work backwards to the end of July or first week of August.
He later added in an interview with Matchroom Boxing: "We know having worked with them before we can get a deal done and really, what we are looking to do this week and next, is look at that situation and decide if there will be a fight in early August for Anthony Joshua before then.
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"They want to make that night, they want to do Joshua vs Wilder and Fury vs Usyk. I think Usyk conversations, the Wilder conversations have gone very well. For us, we are in. We need to finalise terms but we said to Prince Khalid [bin Salman Al Saud] that is the fight we want."
It has been a challenging time for Joshua who has been forced to undergo a significant upheaval by replacing two trainers which now sees him linked up with Derrick James. The British star comfortably outboxed Franklin last time out, but once again came into criticism from boxing fans who have suggested he looks a shadow of his power-punching self.
And ex-cruiserweight champion Johnny Nelson believes Joshua is now fighting for all the wrong reasons and is making a mistake by continuing. “I love AJ, I like him. I think his natural instinct and fire and desire has gone. I think he’s now fighting on ego," Nelson told iFL TV. "It effects your reasoning, it effects your drive. I think he actually tried to box with more intent but he’s 33 years-old. At 33 years old, I’m not saying he’s over the hill, but he should know better by now.”
