Eddie Hearn hints a bout 'between Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder' is 'agreed in principle'

Eddie Hearn hinted that a rumoured fight between Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder could be close to materialising, after positive talks last week.

Joshua has been linked with fights against both Wilder and compatriot Dillian Whyte this summer, with an agreement with the latter seemingly signed and finalised over a bout. 

However, despite removing the one-way rematch clause that Whyte was outspoken in his disapproval of from the contract, Hearn suggested that his prize fighter was far from short of potential opponents.

Joshua last fought in April, when he secured victory over Jermaine Franklin, but has been keen to step back in the ring this summer, with August 12th the date picked out for his next fight.

And Hearn hinted that fans could be treated to a mega fight that has long been anticipated between two of the division’s leading stars, with Wilder among those linked with a meeting with Joshua this August. 

Joshua last fought in April 2023 in which he beat America’s Jermaine Franklin by unanimous decision

‘We’ve been setting deadlines, extending deadlines, to get things done and we wanted to announce today, but it’s very likely Monday or Tuesday could be an announcement,’ the Matchroom promoter told Boxing News.

‘I still don’t think it’ll be Dillian Whyte. We’ve removed what I thought was the issue from the negotiations, namely the rematch clause, which he was very outspoken about but we still haven’t got that over the line, and there are other guys who are ready to sign.

‘Obviously with our meetings with Saudi on Friday, Thursday, we’re in a really great place we virtually have a deal agreed in principle subject to a few final discussions.’ 

‘They’re staying, we’re meeting them again on Monday. I think we’re in a good place but we want to fight on August 12th, and it’s important to his development and his momentum that he does and that’s still the plan.’

Reports earlier in July had suggested that an all British affair could be in the offing with claims that an agreement had been reached between Joshua and Whyte. 

Sky Sports reported that the agreement was reached on Sunday, with an official announcement likely to follow in the coming weeks. 

However, Hearn’s comments have seemingly dealt that prospect a blow, once again muddying the waters around the future of Joshua. 

The rivalry between the two British heavyweights is a long-lived one, dating back some 14 years to a victory for Whyte, before Joshua became Olympic champion at London 2012. 

Former WBC champion Deontay Wilder has been linked with a bout against the British fighter

Dillian Whyte appeared to be close to an agreement with Joshua but Hearn suggested that bout was not going to materialise

For Wilder, though, a fight with Joshua could represent a return to the fore of the heavyweight conversation, after having lost to Tyson Fury twice in a row in 2020 and 2021.

Wilder was last in action against Robert Helenius in October 2022, in which the former WBC champion knocked out the Finnish fighter in the first round. 

With Joshua also having slipped down the pecking order in the division after back-to-back defeats of his own against Oleksandr Usyk, the winner of a potential bout could propel themselves into contention for a shot at either the Ukrainian or Fury.

It was previously suggested that Joshua and Wilder could meet later in the year after both having fought in August, although those plans would appear to have been moved forward.