Deontay Wilder has agreed to fight Anthony Joshua this summer. The American boxer is the next target on AJ’s hit list after he beat Joseph Parker on points on Saturday night to add the WBO belt to his IBF and WBA crowns.
Victory over Wilder, who holds the WBC belt, would see Joshua unify the four heavyweight belts for the first time in history.
There have been some doubts the fight could be agreed, with Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn saying the American’s camp was ‘erratic’.
However, his co-manager Shelly Finkel has said Wilder accepts Joshua’s challenge to a fight this summer and negotiations can begin immediately.
‘We are really glad that Anthony Joshua said for the first time “I will fight Deontay next…” and we believe he is a man of his word. Deontay accepts the challenge,’ Finkel told The Telegraph.
‘We want to make it public that Deontay wants the fight, and we are prepared to come over, or meet here and get the deal done,’ he said.
‘Deontay is ready to sign and come to the UK to fight this summer.
‘Assuming it will be Wembley Stadium in the summer, we are ready, and if they are ready as they say they are, we want to get it done. We want the fight, they want the fight, the public wants the fight. There is nothing to stop it going ahead.’
It’s reported that Wilder is ready to accept a 60/40 split of the purse, recognising that Joshua is the bigger draw.
There have also been loose discussions between the camps of making it a two-fight scenario with the first at Wembley and the second on US soil either in Las Vegas or New York.
Packaged by Lanre Olabisi
