Deontay Wilder has confirmed that an offer has been sent to he and Anthony Joshua for a December showdown - with the duo set to earn career-high payouts.
Wilder and Joshua have been going back and forth on a potential meeting since they both became world champions in 2015 and 2016 respectively, but a deal has never materialised for the hard-hitting pair. However, with Saudi Arabian officials now offering monster sums, it appears that we are in the final stages for a bout between the two by the end of this year.
The former WBC champion, who is considered by many to be one of the hardest-hitting fighters in boxing history, was in Riyadh earlier this year for talks and to watch Jake Paul vs Tommy Fury, and appears keen on competing in the region. Meanwhile, Joshua is known for his world title challenges in the Middle East, facing Andy Ruiz Jr and Oleksandr Usyk in rematches in 2019 and 2022.
"The offer is definitely out there, the discussion has been talked and it's a real thing," Wilder told Mirror Fighting in an exclusive chat at yesterday's PFL event in Atlanta, Georgia. "I think it definitely is going to take place, Saudi Arabia is a beautiful place to be, even though I know they get a lot of heat on the past activities that have went on in their country.
"They understand that but at this point in time they really have changed a lot of the laws and a lot of the ways of things. They don't need tourists, but they want to show people their country and what they have to offer so they've lessened up a lot on the laws over there and for me to go over to visit, in my first hand opinion, it was a beautiful place to be.
"They're serious, they're legit about what they'll do and what they're trying to do. If they do what they're trying to do, that's going to be the next big place to fight at."
Wilder remained coy when quizzed about the reports of a $40million purse, but did admit that fighting in Saudi Arabia will tend to result in unheard of sums of money. "When you're dealing with Saudi Arabia it's always going to be someone's career high out there," he explained.
Who do you think wins between Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below!
"They have a lot out there and they most of all just want to show the world what they want to offer to the world and the things that they're doing out there. They want to bring it to a safe environment and a place where you can enjoy and you can see a lot. I like the architecture and the different buildings and things like that."
Talks had been underway for an unprecedented heavyweight tournament in the region which would see the American's old nemesis Tyson Fury face Oleksandr Usyk for the undisputed title with the winner defending against Wilder or Joshua. But talks have stalled with the WBC champion, and despite his fellow title holder committing to a future fight in the country, those talks seem to be cold.
However, that won't affect Wilder vs Joshua, with the heavy-hitter admitting that he hasn't been shocked by his rival's antics in negotiations. "Knowing him and knowing his personality you wouldn't be surprised," he added. "He's one of those types of people, indecisive at times.
"He's one of those people like 'I have what I want to do' but when it comes time to sign it up he changes up. So when you know him it ain't surprising, we'll see what happens at the end of the day but if he don't sign it me and Anthony will still proceed."
