Boxing fans have been discussing the will he or won’t he deal for Anthony Joshua since Deontay Wilder made his proposal earlier this week.

Eddie Hearn’s initial comments, rather unsurprisingly, focused on the ability of the American’s team to be able to come through with the cash, but ESPN’s boxing insider Dan Rafael has said he has “zero doubt” the money put up by Shelly Finkel is real and guaranteed.

Rafael also added: “If AJ accepts the offer, at that point you meet and they'll get a contract and proof of funding. But before that you have to say, yes, I'm in.

“If it's BS there's no obligation and no signed contract and you walk away. But AJ needs to say yes, and then go from there with the details.

“As I said its as real as Hearn's $12.5 million. Meaning it is real.

“I have zero doubt that they can guarantee that money.”

With the likelihood of all the world heavyweight belts being on the line, and potentially the most anticipated heavyweight bout for years, it would appear pay-per-view demand would ensure the funds could be raised.

Joshua and his team have been cool on the deal so far, by not being drawn into the 24-hour time frame slapped on by the Americans. Yet, they’ll need to come back pretty soon, especially if they expect the fight to go ahead this year.

Hearn had made clear intentions for a potential rumble to take place this side of the pond, and judging by past bouts, could almost guarantee a stadium sell-out, however, due to the time difference, American audiences could be pretty light in numbers.

Although, Hearn’s previous offer to Wilder of $12.5m to fight in the UK, now seems like small change.

“What's different about it than Eddie's $12.5 million offer to Wilder other than it's more money?” Rafael added.

“Where is Eddie's funding coming from? Haymon and Finkel have done massive fights. They know the business.

Regardless of where the fight takes place, let’s just hope for the sake of boxing and the heavyweight division, the two fighters manage to agree terms and make the fight the whole world wants to see.