Boxing
Nick Parkinson 6y

Eddie Hearn: Anthony Joshua vs Deontay Wilder fight in the UK number one priority

Boxing

British promoter, Eddie Hearn, says his number one priority is to secure Anthony Joshua a clash with Deontay Wilder in the U.K. this September.

During ongoing talks, Hearn is insisting a world heavyweight title unification clash between Joshua and Wilder takes places in the U.K. rather than the United States.

One of three London venues -- Wembley Stadium, Twickenham Stadium and the Olympic Stadium -- are the preferred choice.

"It's the general opinion of myself, AJ and Rob McCracken [Joshua's trainer] that because of the status of AJ in the fight and what we've built over here in the U.K. that we should try and get it over here because he has earned the right for that fight over here," Hearn told ESPN.

"If Wilder wins, the rematch can be over there in America. We are going back and forth with talks at the moment and I'm confident we can make that fight."

American Wilder has made a $50million (£37million) offer to Briton Joshua to make it happen in the States.

But WBA-IBF-WBO champion Joshua (21-0, 20 KOs), 28, wants home advantage against WBC titleholder Wilder (40-0, 39 KOs), 32, after selling nearly 250,000 tickets for his last three fights at Wembley Stadium in London, then twice at Cardiff's Principality Stadium.

"AJ appreciates he might not make as much money by fighting in the U.K. but realises that Wilder should be coming to the U.K. to fight first.

"AJ asked me how many British fans could get tickets if the fight was in America and could get over and I said about 6,000 and that's after we have done 250,000 in three fights and it doesn't seem right.

"He's keen to do the fight in the U.K. and from Rob's point of view it's an advantage.

"If it's in September it gives us the ability to go outside and we would have to consider Cardiff [the Principality Stadium], Wembley, the Olympic Stadium, Twickenham and Old Trafford. AJ wants it in London preferably."

Russian Alexander Povetkin (34-1, 24 KOs), who knocked out England's David Price in March, is the alternative opponent for Joshua in September.

"Povetkin is the WBA mandatory challenger and we are talking to them at the moment and we've got a great relationship with his team," Hearn told ESPN.

"They understand the position, AJ wants to fight Wilder next, but Povetkin will get his chance at some point.

"I think it is likely AJ's next fight will be in September and we probably get it done in the next two to three weeks."

Joshua, who lives in north London, was taken to points for the first time in his pro career by New Zealand's Joseph Parker in Cardiff in March when he won a third world title. Joshua has made five defences of the IBF title and two of the WBA belt.

Wilder made a seventh defence of the WBC title with a tenth round stoppage win over Cuba's Luis Ortiz in March. The 2008 Olympic bronze medallist had a first round knockout win over Audley Harrison in England in April 2013.

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