Eddie Hearn, promoter for IBF, WBA, WBO, IBO heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua (22-0, 21 KOs), reveals that his boxer is only interested in facing WBC heavyweight Deontay Wilder on April 13 of next year.

Wilder is back in the ring on December 1, when he defends his title against undefeated Tyson Fury at Staples Center in Los Angeles.

The winner of that bout, where Wilder (40-0, 39 KOs) is a massive favorite, will be the frontrunner to face Joshua next.

Hearn reveals that he's already begin discussions with Wilder's team, and things are going well at the moment.

Because Joshua vs. Wilder is arguably the biggest fight in boxing, Hearn needed to initiate the negotiations as soon as possible.

Joshua was in action last month, also at Wembley, when he knocked out mandatory challenger Alexander Povetkin in seven rounds. 

“We’re in talks now with Deontay Wilder,” said Hearn, in an exclusive interview with talkSPORT’s Hawksbee and Jacobs.

“Things are actually starting to progress a little bit because we can’t wait until December. This isn’t a deal that is going to happen overnight. All we’re saying to them is let’s have a meeting, let’s keep talking, because ultimately we all have a duty to make this fight.

“My job is to deliver for my client and my client wants to fight Deontay Wilder. It is the only fight he wants next and my job is to make it happen. If I don’t, I have failed. I have failed the fight fans, I have failed myself and I have failed Anthony Joshua. And I don’t expect to do that.”

And while Fury is a live dog in the fight, Hearn doubts the cagey boxer will be capable of knocking off Wilder. 

“He will attempt against Wilder to frustrate him and tie him up and do all those kinds of things he did against Klitschko, but I just don’t think this time around it will work, especially when it is only a 50 percent Tyson Fury. I hope he wins but I just don’t believe he will," Hearn said.