ESPN fired the first shot, but there stood Dan Rafael, watching– boxing’s perennial gunslinger still mans the outpost that many feel, separates fact from fable. Fans joined in rallying the veteran sports journalist as he brought out into the open a reported oversight in the sports network’s news.

Yesterday, ESPN shared an update on a fight between Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder. The sports network mentioned that an agreement was in order for a March 9 square-up in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, between the two heavyweight giants. But Wilder’s manager, SFX Entertainment’s Shelly Finkel, seems to have confirmed the contrary. Per the tweet shared by Dan Rafael, Finkel purportedly said, “At this point, there is no deal.”

A conclusion too soon, fans censure

Understandably, many fans weren’t so happy with the development. A few even shared their views about the match eventually turning to fruition.

This fan finds it unbearable to see ESPN devolving into a poor, subpar replica of TMZ. According to the fan, on their part, even TMZ takes care to publish verified news!

Arguing for more conclusive reportage like Dan Rafael’s, the following fan mentioned despising journalists who rush to judgment in the name of page views.

The following appears quite gung-ho about watching Dan Rafael slamming Mike Coppinger on X/Twitter.

This fan finds Rafael’s updates to be the most credible ones currently in boxing.

Taking a dig at the sports network, this follower posits that the phrase “inaccurate ESPN report” seems pretty overused.

The report on ESPN read, “The sides agreed on the money, sources said, but they both must come out victorious and uninjured in separate bouts Dec. 23 in Saudi Arabia’s capital to finalize a bout that was first discussed in 2019.”

Anthony Joshua versus Deontay Wilder: A long-brewing conflict

Both Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder will fight, but not with each other, next Saturday. ‘AJ” will face Swedish WBA intercontinental heavyweight champion Otto Wallin. On the other hand, entering the ring after a 12-month gap, ‘The Bronze Bomber’ will fight IBF and WBO intercontinental heavyweight title holder Joseph Parker from New Zealand.

Talks of a fight between Joshua and Wilder have been in the air for some time. For once, it appeared to be a done deal. There were even rumors of holding the fight on the Tyson Fury–Oleksandr Usyk card. Both the reigning title holders were expected to meet on December 23 in Saudi Arabia. However, the fight for the undisputed champion has now been postponed to February 17. Then came the surprise that Joshua and Wilder would continue with the December event, but with different dance partners.

For ‘AJ’, it would be the third fight of the year, after the unanimous victory of Jermaine Franklin and the knockout victory over Robert Helenius. Whereas Deontay Wilder last fought Helenius on October 15, last year.

Read More: Amid Ongoing Fight Negotiations, Deontay Wilder Predicts Anthony Joshua’s Fate Against Him

What’s your take on the story? Also, do you think Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder will be victorious in their campaigns next week? Please share your views with us in the comments below.

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