By Miguel Rivera
World Boxing Council President Mauricio Sulaiman is crossing his fingers that a deal will be reached for a unification between WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder (40-0, 39 KOs) and WBA, WBO, IBO, IBF champion Anthony Joshua (21-0, 20 KOs).
The two sides are currently in talks and haggling over everything from money to the location of the contest.
Sulaiman is holding back any mandatory orders to allow Wilder to reach a deal with Joshua.
Sulaiman would like to see the contest take place in the UK - where there would be a far bigger crowd, like Joshua drew 90,000 for his fight with Wladimir Klitschko and 78,000 for fights with Carlos Takam and Joseph Parker.
"It's going to happen, it has to be done ... unless one of them loses before the two are able to meet. It has the world's interest and the heavyweight are the ones who are the reference of this sport. They have returned the interest in this division, and both are undefeated and are champions. They should do it since now is when more people will appreciate it," Sulaiman said.
"I personally would like to see it take place in the UK because boxing fans would go there. And if it's done in the United States, I'd like for it not to be in Las Vegas because the people going will be the guests of the casinos and it's limited to 20,000 people. It could take place in a stadium in Dallas, New York or Los Angeles, or take place in a different country, like Ali did in Zaire and Manila.
"Obviously I have to be on the side of our champion, Wilder, and loyalty is a principle that can not be compared to another. Joshua is a great boxer and started in the WBC. But when the bell rings there are no favorites anymore. [Unification of all four titles] is very good and necessary. We have invited the boxing community to try to do it, but each agency is very independent with its regulations and policies. We have not reached an agreement to recognize a single world champion and avoid confusion with the fans. It would be a good time to give the public what it asks of us."