Stephen Dunmoye
Despite being ordered to face Andy Ruiz Jr for a shot at Tyson Fury’s WBC title, Heavyweight boxer, Deontay Wilder has preferably prioritised Joshua’s fight over WBC title fight.
Wilder’s manager, Shelly Finkel, has made their position clear as he said in an interview, “There are conversations with Ruiz, but that is not an impediment if Joshua will fight us next.”
Joshua is coming off consecutive losses to world heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk, and looks set to return in early 2023.
Meanwhile, the 37-year-old Wilder knocked out Robert Helenius in round one of his comeback fight in October.
Finkel is ready to come to the table with Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, to strike a deal as soon as February.
According to him, “Either February, March or April, whenever they want, I don’t know why Joshua can’t be ready in February, which is three months away.
“Joshua hasn’t had any fights in months, Deontay is ready, we’ll fight him in the UK or in the Middle East. Period.”