Share

Wilder, Joshua agree fight deal - ESPN

Los Angeles - Deontay Wilder and Anthony Joshua have agreed terms for a heavyweight unification bout which will take place at a British venue later this year, ESPN reported on Monday. 

Shelly Finkel, one of Wilder's co-managers, told ESPN that World Boxing Council heavyweight champion Wilder had accepted an offer by Joshua's promoter Eddie Hearn for a fight in autumn. 

"We have agreed to the terms that Eddie has put out to us for a fight in the UK," Wilder was quoted by ESPN as saying. 

"Deontay has accepted his terms to fight in the UK. Deontay sent an email to Joshua (Sunday) night and I sent one today to Barry Hearn and Eddie telling them that we officially accept the offer to fight under the terms they gave us and to send us the contract," Finkel added. 

The report said the offer set out a two-fight deal with a rematch to take place in the United States next year. 

If the fight is confirmed, it will be the biggest bout seen in the division in years. 

British 2012 Olympic champion Joshua unified the World Boxing Association, International Boxing Federation and World Boxing Organisation heavyweight titles by out-pointing New Zealand's Joseph Parker on March 31. 

The winner of a Joshua-Wilder bout would be the first man to hold all four heavyweight titles - WBA, WBC, IBF and WBO - simultaneously. 

Joshua, 28, won his first world title in 2016 and has made five defences, taking his record to 21-0 with 20 knockouts. 

Wilder, 32, improved to 40-0 with 39 knockouts when he knocked out previously unbeaten Cuban Luis Ortiz in the 10th round in Brooklyn, New York, on March 3.

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
How much would you be prepared to pay for a ticket to watch the Springboks play against the All Blacks at Ellis Park or Cape Town Stadium this year?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
R0 - R200
33% - 1818 votes
R200 - R500
32% - 1778 votes
R500 - R800
19% - 1084 votes
R800 - R1500
8% - 461 votes
R1500 - R2500
3% - 187 votes
I'd pay anything! It's the Boks v All Blacks!
5% - 254 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE