Anthony Joshua handed boost by Eddie Hearn in bid to fight Deontay Wilder
ANTHONY JOSHUA has been given a boost in his aim to fight Deontay Wilder in April.
Eddie Hearn confirmed on Saturday that he’s had “progress” in talks to create a potential unification bout between the pair at Wembley next year.
Wilder faces lineal heavyweight champion Tyson Fury on December 1 to defend his WBC heavyweight strap.
Both fighters’ teams underwent protracted talks in the summer for a fight from which the winner would reign as the division’s undisputed champion.
In a he-said-she-said negotiation process the fight eventually fell through, however, with Wilder instead moving on to Fury.
I'm not saying it's done, but we made progress because we had a conversation
Hearn has previously bemoaned Wilder’s promoter, Shelly Finkel, for his disinterest in negotiating the fight.
The English promoter was given a boost last week in Chicago, however, when he claimed that he had encouraging chats with an unnamed boxing executive.
“In Chicago, I had a couple of conversations over two days with someone who felt they could help and it was so productive,” Hearn told Sky Sports.
“We were talking about splits and numbers. It's so natural to do that.
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"He's a powerful player in the world of boxing and has the ears of Wilder's team. He probably feels like there needs a mediator to say: 'I spoke to Eddie, this is interesting, how do you feel?'
"I'm not saying it's done, but we made progress because we had a conversation.”
Hearn has previously stated that, should Joshua fight Wilder in April, he wants a pre-contract signed before the WBC champion fights Fury.
”I want to be in a position where, by December 1, we are done or almost done. We just have to watch the fight and sign the deal after,” Hearn continued.
“There's still a lot of work to do, but at least there's conversation and at least we are discussing the deal points.
"I think everyone wants the fight. The attitude of Shelly is: ‘We're not making that fight, they're not serious.'
“Why do they think we keep coming back to the table? It's not for a laugh or to look good. I wouldn't bother.
"We want to fight Wilder. That's why we are the ones continually and consistently making the effort.”
Hearn suggested that his father, Barry, may be better suited to make the fight with Finkel, who is not fond of Eddie.
"Progress is significant in the fact we are talking. In terms of actual progress, it's small,” Hearn continued.
“Once the communication lines are open, that's positive, that's all I can say.
"Maybe it's a breakthrough, they'll come back. All we want is for their team to come back if they don't like the offer and tell us why not, so we can try and make it work.
“By just saying: ‘No, we're not going to talk,’ how do you even have a chance to make the fight?"