Fans likely to miss out
ANTHONY JOSHUA and Deontay Wilder are not facing each other next – and the big losers are the fans.
A heavyweight unification fight between two unbeaten champions is a clash everyone can get excited about.
Now is the time for it to happen and not risk waiting.
As I said months ago, Joshua will face his WBA mandatory Alexander Povetkin next instead of Wilder.
But what happens if AJ loses? Or what happens if Wilder slips up against whoever he faces next?
A massive money fight is down the drain and, more importantly, the fans miss out on what could have been a blockbuster.
If Joshua faced Wilder now they could have two or three fights. Then the person who comes out on top could take on Tyson Fury.
The former world champion would have completed the comeback process by then and been ready for a bout to decide the true king of the division. But why is Joshua against Wilder not happening?
Wilder’s team say it’s down to Joshua’s side insisting on a rematch for their man should Wilder beat him but no rematch for the American if he loses. That doesn’t sound fair.
Wilder was willing to travel to the UK and take less money than he feels he deserves for the fight.
His team even offered Joshua £37m to fight in the US as a guaranteed sum with the potential to earn even more.
And if Wilder won he would have granted him a rematch with a guarantee of £23m – that’s crazy money.
It is strange for a British fighter to turn down such huge sums and you have to wonder why they have decided to do so.
Will it ever happen? I’m not sure as there are a lot of conflicts of interest but it definitely should.
Meanwhile, back to what we are planning.
Keep your eyes peeled for an announcement this week as we reveal a big card at the O2 in London for September 15.