Former world heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis reckons that Deontay Wilder deserves a 40-60 split if he fights Anthony Joshua.Wilder has requested a 50-50 split to fight the British heavyweight champion, but this has not been entertained by Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn, who has offered the American a flat fee of $15 million – slightly more than his initial offer of $12.5 million.Lewis explained on Twitter that Wilder deserves more than that.“AJ [versus] Wilder the biggest fight in the HW division. They will BOTH make more than each ever has … because they BOTH bring a level of interest to match. It’s what fans want to see. Negotiations should reflect that! I would say 60-40 split in AJ favour at Wembley for first fight!”Earlier this year, Joshua turned down an offer of $50 million from Wilder’s team to fight the American in the US.Hearn is hopeful that Wilder will accept his $15 million offer to fight in the UK – likely at London’s Wembley Stadium.In the meantime, any negotiations for the fight will have to be put on hold as Hearn was ordered by WBA president Gilbert Mendoza to make a deal within 24 hours with Alexander Povetkin’s promoter for Joshua’s mandatory defence against the Russian.That fight will take place in the autumn, with a September 22 meeting at Wembley Stadium looking likely.Wilder is also expected to face a mandatory defence in the near future, with a fight against Dominic Breazeale to defend his WBC heavyweight title on the cards.

Whilst Joshua may hold four title belts to Wilder’s one, it is the WBC belt held by the American that would the most valuable title up for grabs in a fight between the two.

“Not just ANY belt, THE CROWN JEWEL among belts,” Lewis tweeted.

“It deserves respect! There is no doubt AJ is the A-side … but you can’t just steamroll Wilder. This is the biggest fight that can be made for a reason … BOTH will bring extreme interest. Two undefeated champs for UNDISPUTED!”