DEONTAY WILDER will come to the UK to face Anthony Joshua in a blockbuster clash – but first plans to unify the division against Andy Ruiz Jr.
Wilder, 34, and AJ, 30, starred across each other in the negotiation room for almost two years failing to agree an undisputed title fight.
Deontay Wilder’s co-manager Shelly Finkel, left, says his boxer will fight Anthony Joshua in the UKCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Wilder and Joshua starred across each other in the negotiation room for almost two years failing to agree a title fightCredit: AP:Associated Press
Joshua went on to lose his unified belts to 19st underdog Ruiz after the Bronze Bomber held onto his WBC crown with a split-decision draw against Tyson Fury.
The heavyweight giants are both pencilled in for rematches against their respective counterparts, but Wilder has not given up on settling the score with the 6ft 6in ex-champ.
Though the American wants his PBC promotional stablemate Ruiz to inflict another defeat on AJ in their December 7 rerun in Saudi Arabia, so he can unify his belt against the Mexican-American.
And then the Bronze Bomber can defend all the heavyweight titles against Joshua in a mega-bout in Britain.
Wilder’s co-manager Shelly Finkel told SunSport: “If I had to choose, I would prefer Ruiz.
“We fight him and beat him, let Joshua revive himself and then we’ll come back and fight him over in the UK.
AJ and Ruiz rematch on December 7 in Saudi ArabiaCredit: AFP or licensors
“If there’s a challenge out there for Deontay, he wants it, but we have to look at Fury, he’s a very, very viable opponent.
“Hopefully it goes the way we hope, he wins, and then we can look to unify it against whoever wins on December 7.”
Wilder was offered a reported £100million by Joshua’s US broadcasters DAZN in 2018, as part of a three-fight deal that would see him TWICE fight AJ.
But the 34-year-old remained loyal to Al Haymon’s partners Showtime and Fox, with the WBC champ going on to beat Dominic Breazeale and Luis Ortiz after his draw with Fury.
And Finkel revealed he welcomes sitting down with DAZN chief John Skipper, as well as Joshua’s promoters Eddie and Barry Hearn, after the Fury rematch is settled next February.
He said: “I like Skipper a lot, and we have commitments at this point, but I am open to making a deal with him and working with him, I welcome it.
Wilder KOd Luis Ortiz in round seven of their Las Vegas rematchCredit: Michael Ham/Mayweather Promotions
Wilder was down on all the judges cards before his stunning KOCredit: Ryan Hafey/Premier Boxing Champions
“I didn’t enjoy some of the ways it went, but it’s business, it’s not personal. It’s not like Barry and I haven’t had a long relationship, it’s good, same with Eddie.
“Whatever it takes within reason to make this for my athlete, that’s what I’m going to do.”
Finkel watched from ringside in Las Vegas as Wilder came from behind to KO Ortiz in round seven, having trailed on all the judges scorecards.
The 34-year-old is already set to return to the ring in just 12-weeks time.
But the quick turnaround does not bother the unbeaten Alabaman – who wants a busy 2020 ending with a unification bout.
Anthony Joshua works up a sweat at at the English Institute of Sport ahead of his big fight against Andy Ruiz Jr
Finkel explained: “Anything can happen, but Deontay feels great.
“After the night, at 1.00am we were down in the food court on Saturday night and he was hungry, in the mood for pizza and I spoke to him yesterday and he’s in LA, he’s great.
“Our thought is it’s going to go on February 22nd unless there is a hiccup in finishing the negotiations.”
Wilder now moves on to rematch Tyson Fury in FebruaryCredit: Ryan Hafey/Premier Boxing Champions
Fury drew with Wilder in December 2018 for the WBC beltCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Joshua was beaten in round seven by 19st underdog RuizCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
