For the last year-and-a-half, the most lucrative fight in the world of boxing is the unification bout between IBF, WBO and WBA “Super” champion Anthony Joshua (22-0-0) and Wilder, but the negotiations between the two camps aren’t going so well, to say the least.
Two months ago Eddie Hearn and DAZN offered Wilder a three-fight deal worth nearly $100m, but the 33-years-old American and his managers denied the offer. Before that, Joshua and his team also denied an offer for a fight with “The Bronze Bomber” worth $50m.
Yesterday Wilder was asked how much would a clash with the Brit worth for him and without any hesitation, the Alabama native said the following:
“I’m worth 9 figures. We know the magnitude of the fight. The heavyweight division is so exciting now, the money is so huge in the sport right now. It’s one thing to watch fighters and know what they’re capable of doing, but the whole business side is another thing.
That’s why I appreciate Shelly and my team trying to explain certain things to me, because sometimes it gets complicated for me to even explain. They’ve been in it for over 30 years.
“Shelly and Al Haymon, together combined, have been in it for over 60 years. So why would they not know the route to go? They know what it takes, they’ve had all the champions before. They know how to take a fighter to the next level and to the top and you’ve got to trust in the people that have the years of experience over anyone.”
Shelly Finkel added:
“Eight months ago Joshua’s team offered $10m, then they offered $15m, then they offered $20m. Now they came back with $40m. Deontay is only getting bigger so you can imagine what it’s going to be when they do fight.”
