As BoxingScene.com reported earlier today, Deontay Wilder says he's ready to fight Anthony Joshua in a heavyweight unification bout, and is willing to travel overseas.
Wilder canceled a scheduled media conference call Tuesday, instead issuing a statement saying he's "ready to come to the (United Kingdom) for my next fight." He says co-managers Shelly Finkel and Al Haymon are available to begin talks to set up the fight "immediately."
Deontay Wilder last fought in England when he defeated Audley Harrison in 2013.
Joshua (21-0, 20 knockouts) won a unanimous decision over Joseph Parker on Saturday in Cardiff, Wales. He holds four title belts, while Wilder (40-0, 39 KOs) is the WBC champion.
The winner would be the first undisputed heavyweight champion since Lennox Lewis in 2000.
Joshua promoter Eddie Hearn said afterward the fight needs to happen this year, but called Wilder's representatives "erratic and unpredictable."
At a New York City media roundtable this afternoon for undefeated heavyweight contender Jarrell Miller, Hearn threw cold water on Wilder's claim and stated that Miller was an obvious frontrunner to face Joshua - if a deal with Wilder didn't happen in the coming future.
On Saturday, April 28, Miller, (20-0-1, 18 KO’s) will face former world title challenger Johann Duhaupas (37-4, 24 KO’s) of Abbeville, France in a WBA world heavyweight title eliminator at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York and televised on HBO. Duhaupas has been knocked out in previous bouts by Wilder and Alexander Povetkin.
"Jarrell Miller is in a long line of US fighters making noise for an AJ fight – he’s definitely in contention for that fight," Hearn said.
"AJ’s focus is on Deontay Wilder but we don’t believe his team want the fight so we have to look at other options. If AJ is to fight in the summer and it’s not Deontay, then a win over Duhaupas on April 28 will put Jarrell in a great spot to land a shot at Joshua."
