Anthony Joshua Still Wants The Deontay Wilder Fight In The UK
The biggest heavyweight fight in years is either close or very far away depending on who you talk to.
Anthony Joshua vs Deontay Wilder for the undisputed heavyweight championship of the world certainly sounds good - and that's certainly a title that both men want - although getting through the negotiations is proving difficult.
Where the fight takes place, how much each man gets, whether rematch clauses should be involved - virtually every part of the deal appears to be in limbo, despite both parties being open about wanting the fight for months.
Joshua doesn't appear to hold quite as many cards as his four belts would suggest. Without this fight, the Briton can only stand still, unable to continue his pursuit for undisputed glory.
Wilder, on the other hand, has always looked content with being WBC champion and dominating the American heavyweight scene - he won the belt in January 2015 and hasn't fought for anything else since.
That's in contrast to Joshua, who has made no secret of his desire to hold the complete set ever since defeating Charles Martin for the IBF heavyweight gold in April 2016.
And so Joshua may not have the bargaining power that he should do - but he won't let that hold him back.
Joshua's promoter Eddie Hearn talked to ESPN about the ongoing negotiations and was adamant that his client wanted the UK fight - just as he promised fans after defeating Joseph Parker.
"It's the general opinion of myself, AJ and Rob McCracken that, because of the status of AJ in the fight and what we've built over here in the UK, that we should try and get it over here because he has earned the right for that fight over here," said Hearn.
"If Wilder wins, the rematch can be over there in America. We are going back and forth with talks at the moment and I'm confident we can make that fight."
As for why Joshua wants to fight in his homeland so badly, Hearn was happy to explain that one - as well as what the champ is willing to sacrifice to make it happen.
"AJ appreciates he might not make as much money by fighting in the U.K. but realises that Wilder should be coming to the U.K. to fight first," he said.
"AJ asked me how many British fans could get tickets if the fight was in America and could get over and I said about 6,000 and that's after we have done 250,000 in three fights and it doesn't seem right."
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