Eddie Hearn, promoter for heavyweight Anthony Joshua, will continue to push forward to lock down a finalized deal for a January clash with Deontay Wilder.
The discussions to make Joshua vs. Wilder have been dragging on for some time.
“It’s slow, I won’t lie. Obviously, it’s a massive fight and these things take time. Everything is kind of agreed other than the signing of the paperwork. We know that takes time, especially in that part of the world," Hearn told The DAZN Boxing Show.
As previously reported by BoxingScene.com, Saudi-based Skill Challenge Promotions is putting up the necessary funds to stage the fight in Saudi Arabia.
Joshua - who already saw action twice in 2023 - is eager to take an interim-fight, in December, if the negotiations for Wilder continue to drag out.
“For me the biggest concern is AJ wants to fight in December or January. We know the Wilder fight is not going to happen in December, so we’re happy to wait until January - but if that fight starts pushing back to February or March, don’t be surprised if he still signs for that fight but has another one in-between," Hearn said.
"He’s loving the activity at the moment. He’s loving being in training camp, he’s loving working with Derrick James. But our full focus is to sign the Deontay Wilder fight. I’m not disappointed but we want to get it done."
Joshua entered the ring in April to secure a twelve round unanimous decision win over Jermaine Franklin. He returned to action last month, picking up a one-punch knockout victory over late-replacement Robert Helenius.
Wilder has been on the shelf for nearly a year, with his last fight being a first round knockout of Helenius in October of 2022.