Wilder yes to AJ fight

RICHARD LEWIS BELTING: Joshua is set for £60m mega fight DEONTAY WILDER is finally ready to face Anthony Joshua in a £60million mega fight.

Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn said yesterday he was “sceptical” after the American heavyweight accepted the fight on Instagram.

But Wilder’s team have dismissed those fears and emailed Hearn again last night to repeat their desire to sign on the dotted line.

Cardiff’s Principality Stadium is the frontrunner to stage the fight in the autumn.

Hearn said: “I made an offer to Deontay Wilder just under four weeks ago.

“They’ve obviously heard that we are likely to fight Alexander Povetkin in September so I don’t know whether this was panic or bluster. Obviously we have lost a lot of time and a September fight with Wilder is impossible.

“If it is Wilder next, it has to probably be October or November.

“Our guys will be working on the contract and they will certainly have it by the end of the week. We will then find out what is real.”

Hearn met Joshua yesterday morning after Wilder accepted their offer, believed to be worth far more than the £9.3m put to him in April and including a rematch, which would take place in the USA.

David Haye, meanwhile, has quit and insists this time it is for good.

The former world cruiserweight and heavyweight champion yesterday called time for the second time, admitting injuries had taken their toll on his 37-year-old body. He walks away with a record of 28 wins and four defeats and the reputation as Britain’s best-ever cruiserweight.

The Londoner said he felt like a “sedated mule” in his final fight against Tony Bellew last month.

“For my fans it must have been like going to support their favourite thoroughbred racehorse at the Grand National only to see their stallion stumble out of the gates like a sedated mule at the Donkey Derby,” said Haye. “The boxing gods have spoken. They will no longer protect me with the freakish speed and power I used to possess.” WILDER