Boxing

EDDIE HEARN revealed Anthony Joshua has received an offer to fight Deontay Wilder in Saudi Arabia. Hearn recently announced he sent a deal for AJ to return on August 12 against Dillian Whyte, who he beat in 2015.
Anthony Joshua with promoter Eddie HearnCredit: PA
Deontay Wilder is in talks to fight Anthony Joshua in Saudi ArabiaCredit: GETTY
But negotiations have also been ongoing in the background for Joshua, 33, to meet Wilder, 37, in a super-fight before the year ends.
Now, the dream bout has moved a step closer to reality with Saudi Arabia’s Skill Challenge Entertainment making a formal offer.
But, still no contract has been presented, which keeps the fight from being officially confirmed.
Hearn told iFL TV: “We have an offer without a contract. So we need to wait on that contract.”
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Joshua returned with victory in April by beating Jermaine Franklin, 29, which came off the back of consecutive losses to Oleksandr Usyk, 36.
Meanwhile Wilder has not boxed since knocking out Robert Helenius, 39, in round one of his October 2022 comeback bout.
Hearn pondered the possibility of AJ waiting out till his end of year blockbuster to avoid the risk of KOing the mega-fight.
But a return against old rival Whyte – who he first lost to in a 2009 amateur bout – looks to be in the works.
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Hearn said: “Just discussing it, we had an email conversation today. We’ve got a call probably later today.
“Like I said, AJ is fighting on August 12th, we’d like it to be against Dillian Whyte, we’ll see if we can make a deal.”
Joshua has twice fought in Saudi before, beating Andy Ruiz Jr, 33, in their 2019 rematch but losing to Usyk last August.
Dillian Whyte and Anthony Joshua are in talks to rematch in AugustCredit: MATCHROOM BOXING More

BOXING legend Roy Jones Jr has warned Anthony Joshua against the “stupid” idea of fighting Tyson Fury next. AJ returned in April with victory over Jermaine Franklin in a performance criticised despite the shutout points verdict.
Anthony Joshua during his fight with Jermaine FranklinCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
And Fury claimed he sent out an offer to his British rival for a fight in September – but Jones urged Joshua against it.
He told Boxing News: “Why would anyone come off one of the worst performances they’ve had in a long time, and go and fight Tyson Fury? How much sense does that make?
“Which one of us believes that, based off his last performance, that he would beat Tyson Fury? Who really thinks that?
“You’ve got to get comfortable with your team first before you take a fight of that magnitude.
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“He clearly doesn’t have it together with his new trainer yet, so to fight the top guy of the division before having it together with your trainer, how stupid would that be?
“So no, you don’t put him in with Tyson Fury right now. Let him get comfortable with his new trainer first, then fight Tyson Fury.”
Joshua, 33, is in talks to return against Dillian Whyte, 35, in a rematch of the fight he won by stoppage in 2015.
But he also had a blockbuster in Saudi Arabia with Deontay Wilder, 37, in the pipeline for December.
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It leaves Fury, 34, struggling to find a next opponent following failed talks to unify the belts against Oleksandr Usyk, 36.
The historic first ever four-belt undisputed decider is still on the cards for December in the Middle East.
But for now, Fury is seeking a WBC mandatory challenger in the summer to keep him active.
WBC president Sulaiman told Sky Sports: “We have to take action. There are different options.
“I will address this with the board of governors because already we’re entering June, and there’s no scenario.
“That’s a possibility. If Wilder and Ruiz are not fighting for the final elimination, Joshua’s right there at No 3. That’s possible.
“We have to go through a process. The WBC board of governors will make that decision.”
Tyson Fury with his WBC beltCredit: GETTY More

TYSON Fury is to be given a take it or leave it offer “very soon” for the “biggest fight of his career”.The Gypsy King will be presented with the chance to make a return to the boxing ring in December of this year.
Tyson Fury is set to receive a take it or leave it fight offer ‘very soon’Credit: Getty
Fury has not fought since the end of 2022, when he beat Derek Chisora via a 10th round TKO in London.
Talks over potential bouts with Anthony Joshua and Oleksandr Usyk have since stalled, with Fury taunting both his rivals on social media.
However, a fight with Usyk to crown the undisputed heavyweight world champion could be back on the cards.
That is after the Ukrainian signed with Saudi Arabian organisation Skills Challenge Entertainment.

The organisation previously worked with Usyk for his rematch with Joshua.
They are also behind plans for a one-night event featuring Fury vs Usyk and Joshua vs Deontay Wilder in December.
Usyk’s signing has prompted his promoter Alex Krassyuk to reveal he will make one final offer to Fury.
He told IFL TV: “According to my knowledge [Fury] will receive a formal written offer very soon and it will be Tyson’s decision whether to take it or leave it.
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“We’ve done everything possible to make this fight happen and the ball is on Tyson’s side.
“It’s an offer to take it or leave it.
“If you take it then you have the biggest fight of your career. If you hesitate or try to trade out something or try to swing around, it shows that you’re not serious.
“And you have to relinquish the belt and retire, not for one month or one week, as you used to retire recently, but probably forever.”
The news that Fury could still take on Usyk this year will delight boxing fans after months of failed talks over the fight.
Earlier this week there had been suggestions his next fight could be a fourth meeting with Wilder in a mandatory title defence, much to the annoyance of fans.
Oleksandr Usyk’s promoter Alex Krassyuk will make an offer to Tyson FuryCredit: INSTAGRAM@ALEX.KRASSYUK More

OLEKSANDR USYK passionately spoke out in defence of Anthony Joshua. Usyk handed Joshua consecutive defeats, the second of which forced AJ into a bizarre post-fight rant.
Anthony Joshua twice lost to Oleksandr UsykCredit: Reuters
But the British superstar returned with a victory in April, beating Jermaine Franklin over 12 rounds.
The performance drew criticism with the likes of Carl Froch and Johnny Nelson joining fans in questioning Joshua’s mindset.
But ex-opponent Usyk has leapt to AJ’s defence, telling Boxing King Media: “I think he just needs a little more time to recover.
“He’s a great fighter and a great personality. And who are those people who judge him? Who are the judges?
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“Have they ever entered the ring? Have they ever trained and felt that pain? They have no right to say so.
“If you want to talk about a fighter, you have to at least once in your life get into the ring and have a sparring session.
“At least for one round, for three minutes. Then you will have the right.”
Usyk, 36, is set to face WBA mandatory challenger Daniel Dubois, 25, next after his promoters won the purse bids for an August 26 bout.
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Meanwhile Joshua, 33, is in talks to return against Dillian Whyte, 35, on August 12 in a rematch after his 2015 stoppage win.
It comes with AJ also in line for a December blockbuster in the Middle East against Deontay Wilder, 37.
Although Hearn has revealed no offer from backers in the Saudi Arabia has come through, with their current attention on Whyte.
Anthony Joshua is in talks to rematch Dillian WhyteCredit: MATCHROOM BOXING More