An intriguing heavyweight bout might presumably have an encore.
For many of the previous yr former heavyweight titlists Deontay Wilder and Anthony Joshua have been rumored to be finalizing plans to satisfy within the ring for a high-profile battle in Saudi Arabia.
Now, in an interview that was revealed on Thursday, Wilder, of Tuscaloosa, Alabama, insisted that he’s working to create a bundle take care of London’s Joshua that would presumably see them battle twice.
Wilder mentioned the potential deal would contain preventing in Saudi Arabia after which in Africa.
Earlier this week, Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Hearn of Matchroom Boxing, mentioned he expects each camps to strike a deal in “two or three weeks” for a battle early subsequent yr. Hearn added that the one approach the battle can collapse at this level is that if the monetary backer, Saudi Arabia-based Talent Problem, fails to provide you with the cash.
“So far as the boxing stuff, everyone is aware of the Joshua state of affairs,” Wilder informed ESNews. “That’s severe. That’s actual. And that’s one that’s up subsequent. And we’re wanting ahead to that. I’m entering into camp actual quickly for that. I’ll be selling that inside the subsequent few months or so. And at last get that showdown on, as soon as and for all. I believe it’s gonna be an incredible, nice battle between me and him.
“I’m truly engaged on a two-fight take care of me and Joshua. One up in Saudi Arabia, and the opposite one up in—we’re going again to the motherland, Africa.”
Wilder proposed an analogous situation earlier this yr involving a two-fight deal, with one based mostly in Africa, on the subject of former UFC champion Francis Ngannou. The Cameroonian combined martial artist, nonetheless, is scheduled to tackle WBC champion Tyson Fury on Oct. 28 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Curiously, Wilder mentioned that the provide he’s presently getting from Africa for a two-fight take care of Joshua is substantial, to the tune of $200 million, or sufficient to “overbid” backers in Saudi Arabia.
“In Africa, they prepared to overbid Saudi proper now,” Wilder mentioned. “They was gonna bid $200 million—100 [dollars] apiece.”
Wilder (43-2-1, 42 KOs) has not fought since stopping Robert Helenius in a single spherical in October of final yr.
Joshua (26-3, 23 KOs) confronted Helenius earlier this month, stopping the Finnish contender in seven rounds.
Sean Nam is the creator of Homicide on Federal Avenue: Tyrone Everett, the Black Mafia, and the Final Golden Age of Philadelphia Boxing.