EDDIE HEARN admits Anthony Joshua’s January joust with Deontay Wilder could fall apart.
The groundwork for the pair’s long-overdue grudge match was laid before AJ’s since-cancelled domestic dust-up with Dillian Whyte last month.
GettyAnthony Joshua is still in talks over a grudge match with Deontay Wilder[/caption]
The fight was targeted for January but Wilder reportedly now wants to fight later next yearGETTY
GettyBut Eddie Hearn admits the fight is currently on a knife edge[/caption]
Negotiations resumed after Joshua sparked out short-notice opponent Robert Helenius, although they’ve seemingly hit an impasse as Wilder reportedly wants to get back in the ring in October.
Matchroom Boxing chief Hearn told iFL TV: “Talks are ongoing. We are still in the same position of a January fight.
“If we don’t conclude that fight and they about moving it to February or March, we will probably fight in December.
“Wilder is talking about fighting in October, but it’s already September now.”
Joshua, 33, is hell-bent on settling the five-year-long score with Wilder but refuses to dance to the beat of the Bronze Bomber’s drum.
“He will wait to fight Wilder in January,” Hearn said. “He’s training now. He wants to fight in December.
“If they turned around and said, ‘Let’s do the Wilder fight in December’ he’d do it.
“But everybody is talking like it’s happening, but until it’s happening it ain’t on.
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“Until it’s on, we’ll keep our options open for December.
“Ideally, we’d like to go straight into the Wilder fight.”
Hearn’s admission that the Wilder fight is far from a done deal comes amid sensational claims from Tony Bellew that Team AJ have abandoned the bout for a Battle of Britain with Tyson Fury.
The Bomber told Bitcoin Casinos: “I am hearing rumours that [talks between AJ & Wilder’s camps] have stopped at the minute.
“And [AJ’s camp] are looking more towards Fury vs AJ again instead of AJ and Wilder.
“The talk is of another fight going to Africa, which would be absolutely incredible.
“Rumble in the Jungle all over again in Zaire or something along those lines.”
Gypsy King Fury is set to return to the ring in October for a controversial crossover clash with former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou.
GettyAnthony Joshua is reportedly now pursuing a Battle of Britain with Tyson Fury[/caption]