By Elliot Foster
Eddie Hearn has thrown down the gauntlet to Deontay Wilder.
The promoter of Anthony Joshua, who watched from ringside as the Olympic gold medallist retained his IBF, IBO and WBA Super heavyweight world titles at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff on Saturday, said that the fight must happen as part of a three-fight plan to clean up in the division.
Joshua (20-0, 20 KOs) stopped a game Carlos Takam in the 10th round on Saturday and Hearn took just moments after the fight to call out the WBC king on behalf of his 28-year-old star.
“AJ wants all the belts,” Hearn told Sky Sports, “and Deontay Wilder vs. AJ has to happen.”
It was thought that ‘The Bronze Bomber’, who defends his crown against Bermane Stiverne in a rematch at the Barclays Center in New York on November 4, was being lined up as a potential opponent for ex-Joshua foe Dillian Whye, who outpointed Robert Helenius on the Joshua-Takam undercard to win the WBC Silver heavyweight title and push his way up the rankings.
But it appears that Hearn wants to get Joshua in ahead of ‘The Body Snatcher’ –– who had February 3 at the O2 Arena in London reserved for his shot at the world title –– as he aims to win all the belts in the sport’s premier division.
“’AJ’ will give you the fights that you want,” Hearn continued. “I promise you that.
“Wilder, [former undisputed king Tyson] Fury and [WBO champion Joseph] Parker are the 2018 fights.”
There has long been a clamour for Joshua to head Stateside and begin to crack America –– as well as opportunities to host fights in Africa and the Far East.
And having previously been a big advocate of getting the Under Armour leading man as much exposure on as many platforms as possible, the Matchroom boss seems to have pulled back on the idea.
“I don’t think we should go abroad,” he said. “I think we should stay right here in the UK.
“One thing is for sure, Deontay will be relieved of his belt in 2018 by Joshua.”
