Another dark cloud has been cast over the possibility of Nigerian-born British heavyweight boxing champion of the world, Anthony Olaseni Oluwafemi Joshua taking on American rival, Deontay Wilder.
Although much has been said and speculated about a massive unification fight between both champs taking place in April this year, sports247.ng learnt that the prospects now appear farther than ever.
This is sequel to a declaration by Barry Hearn, the father of Joshua’s high profile manager, Eddie Hearn, as he says Matchroom Promotions is no longer keen on a deal.
The older Hearn revealed further that talks between Joshua and Wilder had failed to ignite despite several attempts to get a fight fixed.
Father and son both held hopes of securing an undisputed unification for April 13, but Wilder is fully concentrated on a rematch with Tyson Fury.
Consequently, Joshua is set to turn his attention to a clash with Dillian Whyte before lining up Jarrell Miller and Kubrat Pulev in a busy 2019.
With Wilder and Fury focused on each other. Joshua looks out of the picture for the winner until at least 2020.
A draw in the first Wilder versus Fury offering means three encounters are likely to take place before Joshua is sought out for all the marbles.
Las Vegas is the current front runner for the return, with the UK possible to host a third fight.
Staging the bouts in the opposite order is also a consideration as negotiations get set to continue after the holiday period.
Hearn Snr said: “We would desperately love to fight Deontay Wilder in Wembley on April 13.
“We have offered him successively more and more. Not just guarantee money, but percentage money.
“It will generate many times more than he has ever earned in his life. But there’s a certain level beyond which we won’t go.
“AJ is the A-side. Unfortunately to report that so far despite three, four emails, dozens of phone calls.
“We haven’t had one response from Deontay Wilder’s team. So, sooner or later you take the hint that maybe they don’t want us that bad. But then they’re also, I guess, planning a Tyson Fury rematch.”
