The stars have never been more perfectly aligned for a heavyweight collision between IBF, IBO, WBA, and WBO champion Anthony Joshua and WBC heavyweight champ Deontay Wilder.
Wilder comes off of a spectacular knockout victory over Luis Ortiz earlier in March, and Joshua defeated Joseph Parker this past Saturday to capture the WBO heavyweight title. Wilder has been campaigning for a shot at Joshua for quite some time now.
Joshua is interesting in visiting the United States soon to meet with Wilder's team to see how serious the WBO champion is about a potential unification bout between the pair.
Wilder has previously stated that he'd like for the fight to take place in the United States, off the belief that they could make more money by doing so. Joshua, on the other hand, has different ideas.
The undefeated knockout artist has drawn a combined 250,000 fans in his past three fights. He is a major draw in the United Kingdom and has expressed little to zero interest in attempting to take his star power to the United States.
28-year-old Joshua knows that he is the A-side when it comes to negotiations with Wilder, and believes that will be a huge advantage for him in potential negotiations soon (quotes via Boxing Scene):
“It’s the same thing, always,” Joshua said regarding overpaying opponents following his unanimous-decision defeat of Joseph Parker on Saturday night in Cardiff.
“So I said, ‘Let me get all of these belts now, and then I’m gonna be one of the most powerful men sitting on this side of the negotiating table.’
"So why do I have to do all this work to still have to give someone a bonus? Can I get a bonus now? You know what I mean?
"Can I get a little pat on the back now? So that’s how I see it as well. It’s a bit of a Catch-22.”
Joshua's manager, Eddie Hearn, then chimed in and said they will not overpay Wilder in a potential fight - noting this isn't a charity:
“From the debut, we’ve had to overpay [opponents],” Hearn said. “And it’s gone all the way up to the 21st fight.
"And now you flip that Don King quote, and say, ‘No, no, no. [Wilder will] get what he deserves.’
"Because he hasn’t worked this hard to get all these [titles] and to get in the position [Joshua has] got and the atmosphere he’s got tonight, just to give – it’s not a charity.”
What are your thoughts on where a fight between Wilder and Joshua could be held? Do you think that Wilder has a legitimate shot at defeating Joshua in his own backyard in the U.K.? And will the two sides be able to make the fight happen? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below!
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