Deontay Wilder has been dealt a major blow just days after he called out a long-term rival for a future showdown.
‘The Bronze Bomber’ returned to the ring for the 50th time as a professional on April 11 when he faced British veteran Derek Chisora at the O2 Arena in London.
Wilder was declared the winner via split decision after what was a messy 12-round non title clash against Chisora. Just moments after he was declared the winner, Wilder had a confrontation with long-term rival Anthony Joshua, who has been on the radar of the hard-hitting American for quite some time.
The 40-year-old from Alabama publicly declared his interest in facing Joshua next, but it appears that the former WBC world heavyweight champion will not get his wish in a frustrating turn of events.
In an interview with talkSPORT, promoter Eddie Hearn revealed that a clash with Wilder is not actually on the horizon for Joshua, who looks set to sign a two-fight deal with Riyadh Season.
“At the moment, the work that he’s put in to even get himself to this position, it’s been so admirable, it’s been incredible and he’s ready and he’s motivated, but we’ve got to do it right.
“The deal that we’ve been offered, which is to fight in July and then fight Tyson Fury in November, it’s not with Deontay Wilder in mind. I think the powers that be don’t really want us to be in that type of fight.”
Two-time world heavyweight champion Joshua was last in action back in December when he knocked out Jake Paul in the sixth round of their bout at the Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida.
‘AJ’ was involved in a tragic car accident just days later which took the lives of two of his closest friends, but the 36-year-old from Watford has since made a return to the gym and will be back in the ring this summer ahead of a huge domestic match-up with Tyson Fury.
