A deal for Anthony Joshua to battle Deontay Wilder in a heavyweight super-fight should be concluded in the coming days, says promoter Eddie Hearn.
A clash between the high-profile duo has been mooted for several years, dating back to when they were both reigning world champions looking for undisputed status, though now appears set to finally become a reality after negotiations stepped up in recent weeks and months.
The enormous showdown is set to take place in Saudi Arabia in January, with Skill Challenge Entertainment owner Prince Khalid bin Abdulaziz present at ringside at London’s O2 Arena on Saturday night as Joshua warmed up for Wilder with a brutal one-punch knockout of Robert Helenius, a late replacement for Dillian Whyte after Whyte returned “adverse analytical findings” in a random anti-doping test, leading to the cancellation of their second grudge match.
It was far from a vintage performance again from Joshua before his seventh-round explosion, with the crowd even jeering and whistling at one stage as he looked likely to provide a repeat of his low-key points win over Jermaine Franklin from April.
However, Hearn was impressed by the “mature” version of Joshua seen under new coach Derrick James as he provided a further update on talks to face Wilder, who returned from his back-to-back defeats by Tyson Fury in their historic trilogy with a ruthless first-round knockout of Helenius in New York last October.
“We’ve got a three-fight plan,” the Matchroom Boxing chief told DAZN. “Whether you like it or not, it was Robert Helenius, supposed to be Dillian Whyte, Deontay Wilder and then Tyson Fury.
“That’s the ambition of the team. Whether you back Josh, whether you think he can do it or he can’t, things have changed. He’s now a mature heavyweight. I know everyone wants to see first, second, third-round KOs, but against Helenius he took his time and delivered one of the knockouts of the year.
“We believe he can go and beat Deontay Wilder. Prince Khalid and Skills Challenge are here tonight, we look to try and close that deal over the next couple of days. Josh is ready for that fight.
“He’s given everything to this sport, he’s given everything to British boxing. He’s ready now for some big marquee fights. He’s smarter now, he’s going to take his time. No chances, no more losing.
“Tonight you saw that, a guy who took his time, tried to find the range with the right hand and delivered it in devastating fashion.”
When quizzed about the fight with Wilder in the ring straight after knocking out Helenius, a playful Joshua - who said he was targeting two more fights in 2023 - feigned a back injury and asked for a doctor, before quipping: “Because on my back I’m going to carry this heavyweight division to the top.”
