Anthony Joshua Finally Responds To Deontay Wilder "I'm Still Waiting For A Signature"

[Curt Henning]

Oh there'll be bleating in the US, but it won't really affect AJ. He's got the benefit of a very lucrative fanbase that isn't in the US, doesn't really take note of what's being said in the US either.

I've just posted on that here: https://www.boxingscene.com/forums/s...2&postcount=66

keep thinking that....once boxing journalists around the world start talking negatively and there is no one really interesting for him to fight...and the US journalists are sounding off about him on espn....him and hearn will not like it very much

the fight wont make it past 2019

[Holler]

keep thinking that....once boxing journalists around the world start talking negatively and there is no one really interesting for him to fight...and the US journalists are sounding off about him on espn....him and hearn will not like it very much

the fight wont make it past 2019

Ok, can you expand then on just how this pressure will make itself felt on AJ and Hearn?

[Holler]

(Mark my words no way will they dare fight Ortiz) They have had chances and didn't.

They won't fight Ortiz because he's not ranked in any of AJ's belts governing bodies so he can't get mandatory status and there's not enough money in the fight to justify trying to fit him in between a mandated defence.

[N/A]

Because whilst AJ will earn massive sums each year with or without this fight, the longer this fight delays the greater the risk that Wilder will start to decline from his prime.

The longer this fight takes the more experience Joshua gets, the closer he comes to his own prime.

The longer this fight takes the less time there would be to capitalise on the boost in fame and potential earnings that Wilder should get from this fight win or lose.

The longer this fight takes, the harder it gets for Wilder and the greater the chance that he loses. Wilder's camp can leverage the greater pressure from mandatories that AJ is under, but ultimately time is on AJ's side. They could go through the entire negotiation process again in a couple of months, it could again fail for whatever reason and as AJ prepares to fight Miller or Whyte etc. for 20-30m Eddie Hearn will once again win the PR battle with AJ's fanbase because he's head and shoulders a better communicator than anyone in Team Wilder.

Almost all the power in this negotiation sits with one side and almost all the pressure, be it from the progress of time or the absence of compelling alternative options sits on the other.

None of which explains why a low ball flat fee offer becomes more enticing as the fight gets bigger and bigger.

If Wilder's skills start to slip, Hearn will become more eager to make the fight and at that point likely makes a legitimate offer.

Better for Wilder to make 30-40 million for the fight and lose because he's not at his peak than to take 15 million now and get screwed by local officials.

[Holler]

None of which explains why a low ball flat fee offer becomes more enticing as the fight gets bigger and bigger.

It's all about the alternatives. Where does Wilder go if the fight isn't made? He's not breaking through, he's not going to PPV without AJ and he doesn't have revenue streams beyond his purse.

If Wilder's skills start to slip, Hearn will become more eager to make the fight and at that point likely makes a legitimate offer.

Maybe, or maybe a Dillian Whyte or similar will somehow attain mandatory status and take Wilder out of the picture entirely. A smaller slice of a big pie is better than no slice at all.

Better for Wilder to make 30-40 million for the fight and lose because he's not at his peak than to take 15 million now and get screwed by local officials.

Maybe, but as above it's a gamble because maybe Wilder doesn't even make it to the point where Hearn makes that offer. Heck, maybe AJ doesn't. This is HW boxing.

[N/A]

It's all about the alternatives. Where does Wilder go if the fight isn't made? He's not breaking through, he's not going to PPV without AJ and he doesn't have revenue streams beyond his purse.

He's becoming more and more popular every time he fights. Selling more tickets at higher prices, continuing to cement himself as Showtime's biggest draw, etc.

Nobody knows what Haymon's guys really make. 15 million may only be 3x what Wilder makes now. Hardly enough for it to be worth cashing out under such lopsided conditions. Wilder can keep fighting random guys from the WBC top 15 and work his way towards 51-0. AJ is the one who will be forced to face stiffer competition on a more regular basis. AJ is the one trying to fill stadiums. There's more pressure on AJ to come up with compelling fights.

maybe a Dillian Whyte or similar will somehow attain mandatory status and take Wilder out of the picture entirely. A smaller slice of a big pie is better than no slice at all.

Dillian turned down a final eliminator. He has no route to becoming mandatory without one and it could take him years now to get that position and enforce the fight after turning down the final eliminator.

Maybe, but as above it's a gamble because maybe Wilder doesn't even make it to the point where Hearn makes that offer. Heck, maybe AJ doesn't. This is HW boxing.

It's a bigger gamble for AJ because AJ is the one that's potentially leaving hundreds of millions on the table.

[ChrisCook]

They didn't send a contract because Hearn turned down the offer. You agree to terms in principle first, then you go to contract. Hearn didn't send Wilder a contract until AFTER Wilder accepted the terms (although Hearn's contract didn't reflect what was agreed to, which is why Wilder didn't sign). AJ never accepted the 50 million offer, so a contract was never sent.




The contract didn't mirror the terms because the contract conveniently left out any language that would guarantee the fight would take place next.




He accepted the terms if the fight was NEXT. Then he was sent a contract that didn't guarantee the fight was NEXT. So those terms are out the window now. Wilder's not going to fight unless the offer improves. Hearn himself admits the fight will get bigger the longer they wait. So why should Wilder accept an old flat fee offer after the fight gets even bigger?

The reality of the situation is that Wilder and his team waited a month before accepting the offer, by which time the GGG and Canelo rematch was signed to take place in mid Sept. - so the date needed to change and all parties were aware of this.
My only issue here is that Wilder agreed only when he/his team thought that other things would get in the way (A Povetkin deal, etc.). What the fighters get paid is not really relevant - it's not as if you or I will get a share! And I'm certainly not a Wilder hater, far from it... I just think he's left looking a little vulnerable because he is being mismanaged and underpaid.

[artfuL_]

Looks like the Hearns moved the muzzle from AJ's mouth.

[_Rexy_]

AJ is silent since his “50 million” post, and now after the Povetkin deal is “complete” now he wants a signature?

[MDPopescu]

... AJ doesn't need to fight DW next or in the near future...
... the HW division is weak at this point...
... AJ may want Miller, Pulev, Fury etc... he may wait for Joyce, Yoka... he may wait for Usyk or Gassiev...