After defeating Alexander Povetkin, Anthony Joshua said he?d like to fight Deontay Wilder next, but that?s an unlikely scenario. On Saturday, Sept. 22 DAZN streamed its first major boxing title bout between Anthony Joshua (22-0, 21 KOs) and Alexander Povetkin (34-2, 24 KOs). Joshua faced adversity early. Povetkin boxed him well and bloodied his nose, but Joshua?s right hand bailed him out of trouble. The referee stopped the fight in the seventh after Povetkin hit the floor for the second time. In the post-fight interview, Joshua said he wants WBC champion, Deontay Wilder, next. However, that probably won?t happen.
Joshua and Wilder have a long history of negotiation drama. Both men fought in March and won their bouts. Joshua?s promoter, Eddie Hearn, offered Wilder a flat-fee of $12.5 million dollars for a fight, which Wilder?s team turned down.
Joshua said later in an interview that he would fight anywhere for $50 million. Wilder?s team claimed they received the funds to make that happen, but Hearn said he needed proof of funds. Joshua then said that he would prefer to fight in the UK instead of taking $50 million to fight in the U.S.
Try DAZN free for one month All was quiet, and then Wilder announced in June on social media that he agreed to Matchroom?s offer to fight Joshua for $15 million. It took a while for Wilder and his team to receive a contract, which they claim lacked a date, venue and didn?t have a rematch clause in the event Wilder lost.
Matchroom, after a period of time, sent a revised contract to Wilder?s team. Several days went by, and the WBA got tired of postponing their plans of pushing a mandatory challenger on Joshua. In late June, they ordered Joshua to defend his WBA title against Alexander Povetkin.
After vanquishing Povetkin, Joshua told Chris Mannix, ?At the end of the day, we [Joshua and Wilder] have to fight each other.?
Chris Mannix ✔ @ChrisMannixYS Spoke to @AnthonyJoshua for @DAZN_USA after the fight. Here’s what he had to say about a fight with @BronzeBomber
6:50 AM – Sep 23, 2018 809 199 people are talking about this Twitter Ads info and privacy During the press conference after the bout, Hearn said they need to cement a deal with Wilder before Dec. 1 if Joshua and Wilder want to fight on April 13 at Wembley Stadium.
?We?re not willing to wait until December,? said Hearn.
According to Sky Sports today, Wilder?s co-manager, Shelly Finkel, responded to Hearn?s deadline to reach a deal.
?I have sent three separate emails to Barry [Hearn] saying that I have no desire to meet with Barry unless I have a real offer for Wilder to meet Joshua,? said Finkel to Sky Sports.
The games continue between Joshua?s and Wilder?s management. Hearn?s deadline to reach a deal before Dec. 1 is part of psychological warfare. Hearn presents fans with the image that he wants to reach an agreement for Joshua to fight Wilder. He draws Wilder?s team into a public discussion when they should focus on Wilder?s next foe, Tyson Fury.
Hearn?s words are a distraction. Fury is a tricky opponent who poses a genuine threat to Wilder?s undefeated record. Finkel?s response demonstrates that Wilder?s team is willing to negotiate for a future fight with Joshua before Wilder steps into the ring with Fury. That?s a mistake.
Wilder needs to keep his attention on Fury. It?s the biggest fight of his career. This is Wilder?s first pay-per-view bout. If the fight generates a lot of buys and if Wilder?s performance impresses boxing fans, then his stock will skyrocket. Maybe that?s what Hearn fears.
If Hearn agrees to a deal with Wilder?s management, he can guarantee a specific price to pay Wilder. If Wilder looks exceptional against Fury, then he will demand a much larger cut of the split in total revenue for a potential bout with Joshua. Wilder?s reputation could surpass Joshua?s in the court of public opinion depending on his performance against Fury.
Even if Joshua and Wilder agree on money, they need to figure out the broadcast intricacies. Wilder has a contract with Showtime and Joshua is with DAZN. Those two companies would have to agree on how to do a joint production which seems unrealistic. There are more hurdles to navigate today than there were five months ago.
A contest between Joshua and Wilder would be incredibly lucrative, but it also contains significant risk. Whoever loses takes a hit professionally and in terms of marketability. Joshua just initiated his partnership with DAZN. If he lost, DAZN?s biggest star would lose his allure. That would be bad for business.
Joshua and Wilder?s teams will continue to criticize each other in the media to try and elevate their standing over the other, but it?s all talk and bravado. Wilder has his hands full with Fury, and Joshua can?t risk a loss when he?s on top of the heavyweight division. Look for Joshua to fight Dillian Whyte on April 13 at Wembley. It?s an entertaining fight that?s relatively safe for Joshua. Risk management means knowing when to take a risk. Now?s not the time for Joshua or Hearn.
