Eddie Hearn reveals two alternative host sites for Anthony Joshua vs Deontay Wilder if Saudi Arabia deal collapses
12/09/2023 12:46
Eddie Hearn is determined to make Anthony Joshua vs Deontay Wilder a reality.
The boxing promoter was thought to be closing in on a deal to put on the heavyweight blockbuster in Saudi Arabia, but talks have come to a standstill in recent weeks.
As of late, there's been a shift in power when it comes to making big boxing bouts in the Middle Eastern country and it's left Joshua vs Wilder in limbo.
Skills Challenge Entertainment, whom Hearn has been negotiating with, has been replaced by a new entity that booked Tyson Fury's fight with former UFC champion Francis Ngannou.
It's left the Matchroom Sports chairman weighing up other options, with London's iconic Wembley Stadium and Las Vegas now being considered to host the fight.
"Sooner or later, we've got to move on," Hearn told talkSPORT about a deal to make Joshua vs Wilder in Saudi Arabia on Monday.
“I'd love to look at that fight in Las Vegas. I'd love to look at that fight in Wembley [Stadium]. I think it would be incredible, but there is a chance that AJ may fight in December.
"If we can't lock that in for January, maybe we push it to March or April and look at alternative venues. There's other sites that want that fight, sometimes the more traditional sites will create a huge event.
"Only last night, we were looking at the numbers for Las Vegas thinking, 'Wow! Joshua against Wilder in Las Vegas.' Maybe that would be something that would be remembered for a long time.
"We'll see. We will speak to Deontay Wilder's team tonight. They want the fight. We want the fight, but it's slow, and sooner or later we are going to have to look elsewhere."
Joshua's potential interim fight in December is likely to be a step up in opposition after he picked up routine wins over Jermaine Franklin and Robert Helenius to bounce back from consecutive defeats against Oleksandr Usyk.
Wilder is also considering taking another fight, but both men remain intent on facing each other and Hearn is the person tasked with making it happen.
Hearn was speaking to talkSPORT at the 2023 BGC charity day where celebrities hit the trading floor to raise money for good causes.
On Charity Day, 100 per cent of BGC Group's global revenues are donated to the Cantor Fitzgerald Relief Fund and dozens of other charities around the world.
