By Tim Parsons-
Anthony Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Hearns, has said that a deal to fight Deontey Wilder is nearly off, as the UK promoter holds parallel talks with Russian heavyweight, Alexander Povetkin. His comments come after a recent one week deadline to the American, who holds the WBC belt, and has expressed great interest in the fight.
Joshua’s team had initially offered $12.8m for the fight, but this was met by a huge counter offer of $50m from Wilder’s team. Alongside the mega offer was the condition for the fight to be held in America. Joshua and Hearns have insisted they want the fight in the UK, but Wilder’s team insist that the fight should take place in America, since they are offering the big money for the fight. The American’s team have a very valid point, but what complicates this hotly anticipated contest is the fact Joshua is the A side, and currently has four heavyweight championship belts.
Joshua,21-0(20 Ko’s) with all those belts, is the main man in the division, and is wanting to make history by making the UK the new venue of big boxing fights. The unbeaten Londoner is prioritizing the interests of his many, many fans in Britain, and doesn’t want any Uk fans denied the opportunity to witness the fight live just because of an American venue. Joshua has reminded the world that he has ”earned the right ” to dictate the venue of the fight in the UK, adding that he owes it to his fans to stage the fight in the UK. He has also volunteered to take a $15m cut to have the fight staged in the UK, insisting on the benefit of home support.
Wilder 40-0(39Ko’s) holds the WBC belt, and will not bow to having the fight in the UK. The fact his side is providing the big pay day, even with a pay cut, is the reason he believes he should enjoy home advantage, instead of Joshua. With two unbeaten knockout artists like Joshua and Wilder, home advantage may be the one factor that could influence the result of the fight, especially in terms of psychological confidence on the day.
The better man should still win no matter the venue, but is there an obvious better man between these two? Most boxing pundits believe Joshua already has the edge in terms of ability and technic, placing the fight in the Uk in front of Joshua’s fans should make victory for the Londoner more likely. If held in America, Joshua has already expressed concern for dirty tricks of referees and officials. The deadlock has led to Hearn expressing concern that the fight with Wilder is close to being lost.
Hearn has therefore warned that the fight is evaporating fight, and Alexander Povetkin may be agreed. He said:
DEAL
”We are close to closing a deal with Povetkin with Andrei Ryabinsky and once the deal is closed, there is no Deontay Wilder.
“Wilder has had the latest offer from off for the last two weeks which was our improved offer and we are still talking to them and in fact, my dad [promoter Barry Hearn] is out in New York at the moment, and he might meet Shelly [Finkel, Wilder’s manager] today.
“They have our offer so they have to accept it or move on. It’s not a case of if you don’t accept this offer the fight is dead, we will just fight Povetkin and carry on our negotiations to the next one.
“It has to be the next one, or the one after that. Joshua wants to fight. We’ve got an opportunity to go in September and Josh is keen to fight in that month and if Wilder wants it, it’s there.
“But I do still believe Wilder will take this offer.”
Wilder has repeatedly claimed that Joshua is dodging the fight, having tabled a £37million offer to meet the Brit’s alleged demands.
However, the American boxer is determined to fight on home soil while Joshua’s camp believes he has earned the right to a home bout.
But even if Joshua, who wants to fight again in September no matter what, is forced to take on Povetkin by the delay in Wilder talks, Hearn thinks the Russian should not be underestimated.
“It is a very, very difficult fight, the Povetkin fight. He’s lost once, to Wladimir Klitschko who did everything he could to try and stop him but couldn’t do it,” Hearn added.