Deontay Wilder Reveals Anthony Joshua’s Response To $50 Million Fight Offer While Making Major Revelations About Negotiations In Striking Confession: “It’s Been Promotions That Have Held Him Back”

Fans have eagerly waited for a clash between the two heavyweight titans,

Deontay Wilder and Anthony Joshua. However, it turns out the closest alternative we will get is watching them fight on the same card. Joshua is set to make his comeback in Saudi Arabia on December 23rd, eager to reclaim his spot in the world title scene. His opponent in this Middle East showdown is Sweden’s Otto Wallin, promising an exciting matchup in the ring. He will share the spotlight with none other than Wilder, who is gearing up to face Joseph Parker on the same night.

Originally reserved for Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk‘s undisputed heavyweight showdown, the date took an unexpected turn after Fury’s subpar performance against Francis Ngannou last month, leading to him taking more time for recovery and training leading to subsequent postponement. In a recent interview with Daily Mail Sport Boxing, Wilder detailed what is stopping Joshua from meeting him inside the ring.

Is Anthony Joshua the one responsible for stalling the fight with Deontay Wilder?

Wilder revealed that Joshua had asked for a whopping $50 million for the fight. Wilder agreed to it. However, Joshua later took a U-turn claiming Wilder lacks the funds to stay true to the deal. According to Wilder, this is only a deflection, an excuse to duck him. “They came up with 50 million dollars because he spoke. That’s why they don’t have Joshua speaking a lot on his own behalf. If he do speaks, Joshua always slips up and say things that is not appealing to his people and they had to play clean up.” 

Wilder also claimed that it is his promotional team that is holding him back from facing him. It has been 6 years since fans have been waiting for a showdown between the two. As a fighter, it would have been only natural for Joshua to give in and battle ‘The Bronze Bomber’ and give the fans what they so eagerly waited for. “Many times he wanted to fight, he wanted to accept it but his handlers and we know why they didn’t want it because Joshua is the money maker for the company and if he goes down, so does the company”. Aside from Joshua, his team plays a decisive role in who he takes up as his opponent. And according to accusations leveled by Wilder, the reason behind Joshua evading his advances was purely strategic in order to preserve his brand value.

Wilder’s new potential match-up

While Joshua might not be quite interested in fighting Wilder, there is someone else who is willing to take up the task. Francis Ngannou, fresh off an impressive showing in the boxing ring, is gearing up for his next challenge, and all signs point to a clash with Wilder. Despite a narrow split decision loss, Ngannou’s remarkable performance immediately turned heads in the boxing world. Both Joshua and Wilder expressed interest in facing him in 2024, but Ngannou leans towards a showdown with the latter. In a recent chat with The Last Stand Podcast, ‘The Predator’ revealed his preference for Wilder, citing a lack of interest from Joshua and Eddie Hearn in collaborating directly after his UFC departure.

Read More: “He’s Earned His Right And Credibility…”: Eddie Hearn Remains Brutally Honest On His Advice To Anthony Joshua If Francis Ngannou’s Fight Offer Comes Their Way

“My team received a text from Eddie and I think that’s all. I met Eddie when I’d just separated with the UFC and I think it wasn’t interesting for them because I never heard back until the other day, until somebody else stepped in and took all the risk, and now he’s around,” This approach of the promoter did not sit very well with Ngannou who finds it quite opportunistic. In a chat with Blue Blood Sports TV, Wilder expressed his eagerness to take on Ngannou as well. Not just in the ring but also inside the cage. Wilder shared that a potential bout between them was initially in the works, but business considerations led to other developments.

One cannot predict how much longer it will take for the two to finally give in to their fans’ demands. Do you think we will get to see the showdown anytime soon? Or will Joshua deny the opportunity altogether? We would love to hear your view on the topic in the comments.

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