Deontay Wilder Looks Set to Fight Anthony Joshua in a Heavyweight Unification Super Fight…
It’s officially on. Deontay Wilder has accepted Anthony Joshua’s heavyweight unification challenge. Although neither men have signed on the dotted line, it’s understood that terms have been agreed for what will literally be the biggest fight of the year.
While from a fan perspective it was the obvious next step for both fighters, boxing isn’t always logical. Complications had arisen because of differences in opinion over the purse split and the potential location. However, the chance to unite the major belts is such a lucrative opportunity for both men that it was always going to happen.
Wilder is the WBC champion, while Joshua holds the IBF, WBC, and WBO belts. The British fighter took the last belt from New Zealander Joseph Parker last Saturday in the first decision win of his career. On paper, it’s a fantastic fight. Wilder has devastating knockout power, while Joshua is an Olympic champion and an incredible physical specimen.
Biggest Draw
It’s understood that the pair has agreed a 60/40 split in recognition of Joshua’s superior drawing power. The two camps are in discussion about a two-fight deal, with the first taking place in London’s Wembley Arena, and the second in New York or Las Vegas.
Joshua has headlined stadiums in each of his last three fights. He’s a superstar in Europe right now, although arguably has yet to become well known stateside. Wilder has the potential for superstardom, however, up until now, his opponents have generally been too poor for him to really make a name for himself.
Going Down
The American has accepted that Joshua has the bargaining chips, and he’s ready to go to war over them. Both men have remarkable unbeaten records. Joshua is 20-0, while Wilder is astoundingly 40-0. One of these men is going to be catapulted into superstardom. Wilder’s co-manager Shelly Finkel said:
“We are really glad Joshua said for the first time ‘I will fight Deontay next’, and we believe he is a man of his world. Deontay accepts the challenge.”
Of course, a few technical details need to be ironed out, but Team Wilder appears to be taking a pragmatic approach. They know that they need this fight, with Joshua the biggest test of the Alabama native’s career.
Summer Slam
The super showdown is likely to take place this summer in London’s Wembley Stadium. Eddie Hearn has warned that there is a limited window of time available before Joshua needs to take on mandatory contenders. Responding to this, Finkel said:
“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 to fight, the public wants the fight. There is nothing to stop it going ahead.”
These are incredibly positive words by Finkel and signal very exciting times for boxing’s heavyweight division. We’re getting something special here, a fight between two boxers in their prime, to become the unified champion of the world. It’s been a long time since that happened.
