ANTHONY JOSHUA is making over £50million for his next two fights, according to planned opponent Deontay Wilder.
The 38-year-old Bronze Bomber and AJ, 34, came face-to-face for just the second time at Wednesday’s December 23 Saudi spectacular press conference.
Sadly the former world champions are not fighting each other just in time for Christmas, six years after they should have held an undisputed decider when they shared all four major belts.
But if the London 2012 legend beats Otto Wallin – and the Bronze Bomber beats Joseph Parker – the pair will meet in a 2024 shoot-out, in a deal Wilder reckons is worth over £100m between them.
Looking back at the rivalry that started in 2018, he said: “I don’t think he is scared of me but the people around him are.
“Maybe there is some fear in him but we are in a business where we all risk our lives.
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“The sport and the dangers get under your skin so I understand that side.
“But everyone will get in the ring for the right price, especially when there is over $50m on the table.
“Everything is going in the right direction now and the fight will happen. The time is finally here and people are going to get what they have wanted for years.”
Back in 2018, Wilder and his no-nonsense team of Al Haymon and Shelly Finkel were at loggerheads with AJ’s team and especially promoter Eddie Hearn.
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The Americans insist Wilder was ducked and avoided and the 6ft 7in dreadlocked puncher explained his side of events once again, claiming AJ refused a one-off purse of around £40m for that fight, when both were at their sporting and commercial peaks.
“I can’t regret something that didn’t happen and something I don’t have control of,” Wilder said about the missed opportunity to add AJ’’s old WBA, IBF and WBO belts to his former WBC crown.
“It wasn’t in my control and if it was it would have happened six years ago. It would have happened when he asked for $50m.
“But it didn’t happen because they didn’t think we’d come up with the money.
“It’s a sad reality but I don’t have any regrets at all because I know the truth will set you free.
“When I speak, I speak the truth. I have no reason to lie, I risk my life. When I speak it’s the truth, the whole truth so help me God.
“All of these guys, promoters, managers, they don’t want me to say certain things because it exposes them.”
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
