If Wilder vs Joshua can't happen in Saudi Arabia, where should it be?

I believe Eddie had mentioned London and Vegas, then claimed that Vegas would make more money. The fight is big enough to make financial sense even without a site fee. The real question is if the boxers actually want to fight. I believe Wilder does as he hasn't got a better alternative nor a longer plan to stay in boxing. If he loses, he got his last big payday and if he wins, he can cash on another big payday. Joshua doesn't because he wants an easier route to get a belt, possibly make one or two defenses, and then fight Fury before he retires. Fighting Wilder and losing will seal his second career dream.

If people keep dangling this Saudi oil money carrot, I'm afraid they won't be exploring any other venues for many months to come. They would just rather wait for the carrot. There has to be a definite confirmation from the Saudi prince himself about the status of the fight. People have to wonder why Wilder and Joshua were not invited in the Ngannou/Fury fight. Their absence is very visible. Everyone was invited including the ones who nobody knew existed, except 2 fighters supposedly fighting in some future date. There's nothing to be optimistic about the fight happening in that country.

Passed its sell by date. Wilder had his chance when it actually meant something. I could care less if it happens at this point.

If people keep dangling this Saudi oil money carrot, I'm afraid they won't be exploring any other venues for many months to come. They would just rather wait for the carrot. There has to be a definite confirmation from the Saudi prince himself about the status of the fight. People have to wonder why Wilder and Joshua were not invited in the Ngannou/Fury fight. Their absence is very visible.

The many posts from people who evidently know little or nothing about the business, presenting their thoughts as "insights". Well, it's a free space I suppose. Rumors and speculation have swirled since the Saudi promoters Skills Challenge Christmas 2023 show bit the dust. However the interest in the Wilder - Joshua event has ebbed little since both were beltholders back in 2019; and for potential excitement there is nothing in combat sports to compare. The Ring and ESPN both put Wilder as number 3 and Joshua at number 4, below only the current champions. Saudi Arabian Minister of sport Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Saud and Turki AlShikh; minister at the Royal Court have each stated clearly that the interest in staging the Wilder versus Joshua fight in early 2024 remains a priority. Even now, in today's breaking news, they are expressing interest in Derrick "Nine Lives" Chisora vs. Francis Ngannou for a potential date of December 23 in Riyadh. Other names rumored to be on the new Christmas card include Deontay Wilder, as well as Joe Joyce, Zhilei Zhang, Martin Bakole and Joseph Parker. Ahh, more heavyweight rumors. Just what we needed. Should Saudi negotiations for Wilder - Joshua not resume by late February, I would hope to see it occur in London, Las Vegas, NYC or Dubai.​ There's nothing shameful about a 3-8 million dollar paycheck, is there?? This era is in the homestreatch. Get fighting!

Has to be in UK, Joshua is still a draw, Wilder isn't a big draw in the States, and Joshua probably isn't even known by casuals in the States. Is this matchup still a big enough draw (both have lost their belts) that they can stage some big event in Africa?

It's depressing. Posters in their 60s and 70s playing blame games. With all the anonymity the internet provides they still can't make any decent suggestions on a fight they claim they want to see. Well, it all boils down to... as they always say, "Follow the money." Both parties would have to agree to significant paycuts. And that's what some fans are not willing to touch on.

I'm afraid we'll be seeing more of this whining and crying for many months to come. It's depressing. Posters in their 60s and 70s playing blame games. With all the anonymity the internet provides they still can't make any decent suggestions on a fight they claim they want to see.

Any answer yet to this obviously very relevant question? Everyone agreed to the fight, but for some reason the Saudi prince didn't think it's a fight they want in the desert kingdom. I keep reading stupid posts insisting it should be made regardless, yet they can't suggest any place and would rather act like 10 year old kids screaming, "Waaaah....I want to see the fight... waaah.....it's this and that guy's fault... waaaah." I'm afraid we'll be seeing more of this whining and crying for many months to come.

Only few are acting like mature adults in this site. They'd rather just play blame games.

Kinshasa, Zaire.

Any answer yet to this obviously very relevant question? Everyone agreed to the fight, but for some reason the Saudi prince didn't think it's a fight they want in the desert kingdom. I keep reading stupid posts insisting it should be made regardless, yet they can't suggest any place and would rather act like 10 year old kids screaming, "Waaaah....I want to see the fight... waaah.....it's this and that guy's fault... waaaah."

I don't even think Joshua is as desperate for money as Wilder and Malik are. He made 2 fights in the oil-rich country. Made around $30 mil in the Ruiz 2 fight, $119 million in the Usyk fight, https://www.sportingnews.com/us/boxi...1acy1u5ol89yqx

The fight might still be on for Saudi, undercard of Usyk vs Fury. Other than that its Vegas, but for much less money, both camps frustated about it. The fight did expire its selling out date, but is still big. It may do similar numbers to Crawford/Spence and Canelo/Charlo I think Vegas also and also that both must be realistic in their expectations, all things considered. The upside is that the winner's stock will rise considerably.

What Wilder and Joshua don't seem to realize is that they are former champions, who can't beat the current champions that they've lost to. If Wilder challenges Usyk and Joshua challenges Fury, then maybe they could generate enough interest for a big PPV fight. But these two fighting each other is not a big enough PPV event to pay them the huge retirement checks that they likely each want.

The fight might still be on for Saudi, undercard of Usyk vs Fury. Other than that its Vegas, but for much less money, both camps frustated about it. The fight did expire its selling out date, but is still big. It may do similar numbers to Crawford/Spence and Canelo/Charlo

To be honest, even if these two don`t fight ever again, I couldn`t care less.

There you go. How can you even make sense of this stupid post. This casual thinks Hrgovic is a walk in the park. These are not real fans. These are morons. It's hard man, it's hard. We're trying to discuss practical solutions to a fight that can only be made in the oil-rich country, yet they're still acting like little children asking for toys.

Vegas would be the obvious choice and Wembley could be another. But Eddie has hinted clearly enough that they are looking to avoid Wilder and look for opportunities to sneak a belt once they fragment. So, I believe that is Eddie's way of saying no Wilder, no Zhang, and no Fury. They will try to convince a Hrgovic vs Joshua There you go. How can you even make sense of this stupid post. This casual thinks Hrgovic is a walk in the park. These are not real fans. These are morons.

These 2 guys couldn't come to terms on a fight when there was over 100M on the table. They aren't going to do it now the payday is so much smaller. Whether you blame Hearn or AJ or Wilder doesn't matter, the personalities are the same, the outcome will be the same. Tens of millions of dollars were rejected last time by the Finkel camp and Wilder was waxing poetic about loyalty. "I'm in the Dream Team," he said in his kumbaya moment. And the Dream Team also involved Stephen Espinoza, who eventually sneaked out of the nightmare.