'The sooner the better' - Deontay Wilder accepts Anthony Joshua challenge to fight in UK and wants unification showdown NEXT
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Loading... - Jen Murphy
- 04 Apr 2021
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Deontay Wilder claims he accepts Anthony Joshua’s challenge to face him next in Britain.
Joshua called out Wilder after adding the WBO heavyweight title to his WBA and IBF crowns and the WBC champ says he is prepared to fight him.
The unbeaten Wilder said in a statement: “First of all, I want to congratulate Anthony Joshua on his win last Saturday night.
“Anthony, I’m so glad we finally heard from you on Saturday and that you want to fight me as your next opponent and you want the fight to happen in the UK.
“I accept that challenge and I’m ready to come to the UK for my next fight. There is nothing on Team Wilder's side to prevent me from fighting you next.
“You also said on Saturday that your team is ready to meet with Shelly Finkel and Al Haymon from my side to get this deal done. They are also ready to meet with your team immediately. Let us know when - the sooner the better.
“Thanks Anthony, I can’t wait to meet you in the ring.”
Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn has been speaking to Wilder’s co-manager Haymon for weeks and suspects the American is close to agreeing a deal to fight Dominic Breazeale instead.
Breazeale pulled out of a final IBF eliminator and Hearn says a fight between him and Wilder would push back a clash with Joshua for the undisputed title until the end of 2018.
“Wilder’s going to fight Breazeale next,” said the Matchroom MD. “There’s no doubt about that because the IBF ordered a final eliminator between Kubrat Pulev and Breazeale and Breazeale pulled out.
“Why pull out if he had nothing else on? The answer is because he’s fighting Deontay Wilder.
“If Wilder fights in June or July against Breazeale, then our fight with Wilder would not take place until November or December.”
