Deontay Wilder accepts Anthony Joshua challenge to fight in the UK

Jack O'Toole

WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder has said that he’s ready to fight multi-belt world champion Anthony Joshua in the UK in his next-fight.

Wilder did not attend Joshua’s unanimous decision win over Joseph Parker on Saturday night but said that he would fight Joshua in the UK if his promotional team Matchroom Boxing could arrange a meeting with his co-managers Shelly Finkel and Al Haymon.

“First of all, I want to congratulate Anthony Joshua on his win last Saturday night,” Wilder said in a statement issued to the media. “Anthony, I am so glad we finally heard from you on Saturday and that you want to fight me as your next opponent and you want the fight to happen in the UK.

“I accept that challenge and I am ready to come to the UK for my next fight. There is nothing on Team Wilder’s side to prevent me from fighting you next.

“You also said on Saturday that your team is ready to meet with Shelly Finkel and Al Haymon from my side to get this deal done. They are also ready to meet with your team immediately. Let us know when – the sooner the better.

“Thanks Anthony, I can’t wait to meet you in the ring.”

Matchroom Boxing chief Eddie Hearn told Chris McKenna of The Daily Star on Tuesday that he thinks that Wilder will fight Dominic Breazeale next.

Joshua stopped Breazeale when the two fought two years ago and Hearn believes that his withdrawal from an IBF elimination fight with Kubrat Pulev stems from a possible fight with Wilder.

“There’s no doubt about that because the IBF ordered a final eliminator between Pulev and Breazeale and Breazeale pulled out because he’s going to fight Wilder next,” said Hearn.

“Breazeale had a final eliminator to fight Pulev, a massive opportunity to become mandatory to Joshua and if he had fought Pulev, he would probably have won.

“So why pull out if he had nothing else on? The answer is because he’s fighting Deontay Wilder.

“If Wilder then fights in June or July against Breazeale, then our fight with Wilder would not take place until November or December.”

However, Finkel revealed to The Telegraph on Tuesday that he will make contact with Eddie Hearn, Barry Hearn and Matchroom Sport this week and stressed that Wilder is committed to the contest.

“We want to make it public that Deontay wants the fight, and we are prepared to come over, or meet here and get the deal done. Deontay is ready to sign and come to the UK to fight this summer.”