Wilder to KO £9m Joshua fight offer
DEONTAY WILDER has been offered £8.8 million to face Anthony Joshua.
But the WBC heavyweight champion’s team are expected to reject the flat-fee proposal.
His management feel he is worth far more for a massive unification fight with the WBA, IBF and WBO champion that could generate up to £100m. The American and his team have repeatedly stated they are happy to agree on a 60/40 split in Joshua’s favour and are willing to travel to the UK for the fight. But a figure of £8.8m would fall well below their valuation.
The offer to Wilder does not include any pay-per-view sales, gate receipts or international broadcast deals. It is also understood that there was no date or venue given in the offer. Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, feels the deal is more than acceptable.
And he will point to Wilder’s past pay days, which are nowhere near the figure he has now been offered.
Tyson Fury, meanwhile, is set to announce his return to the ring today.
The former WBA, IBF and WBO heavyweight champion is believed to have agreed a deal with promoter Frank Warren. It is thought his comeback will be in June, with the venue and opponent still to be confirmed.
Fury, 29, has not fought since November 2015 and has struggled with mental health issues while serving a two-year drug ban.