Wilder’s on

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 in terms of venue, US TV and for pure promotional build, is impossible really.

“If it is Wilder next, it has to probably be October or November. We are running out of time.

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

“It makes me sceptical because of the way they are handling this. We are not looking to have anything in that contract out of the ordinary.”

Hearn met with Joshua yesterday after Wilder accepted their offer, believed to be worth far more than the £9.3m initially put to him in April.

The offer includes a rematch, which would take place in the US. Joshua wants to fight Wilder next and Hearn insists that is the priority.