Anthony Joshua promoter Eddie Hearn confirms Deontay Wilder unification fight will happen in 2018 with talks starting now
Olympic golden boy AJ beat stopped Carlos Takam last time out and the Bronze Bomber battered Bermane Stiverne
ANTHONY JOSHUA will fight Deontay Wilder in 2018 after promoter Eddie Hearn revealed talks had begun on Thursday in New York.
The English IBF and WBA king will defend his titles against the Bronze Bomber and try to claim the WBC belt from the American Bronze Bomber.
After battering former WBC champion Bermane Stiverne senseless on Saturday, Wilder used his post-fight interview to call out AJ again.
And Hearn has revealed that match could be made in the coming days, if Wilder accepts his worth compared to the biggest name in boxing.
Hearn told Sky Sports: “It doesn't happen overnight, this is the first meeting, it may go well, it may go terribly, it may go OK. Fans need to know we are being proactive.
"We want the fight. The Wilder fight will happen in 2018 unquestionably. It's just a case of whether it's next, in the summer and, importantly, where.
"The major issue in these negotiations is to deal with egos. You have two world champions - one is the biggest star in world boxing and one, if you walk the streets of Manhattan and ask if people know the name 'Deontay Wilder', the answer will be no.
"Walk down the streets in the UK and ask if people know the name 'Anthony Joshua' and they will know his life story. "We have to respect Wilder but we also need to do great business for Joshua.
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“If we offered Wilder his true worth, the meeting would last two minutes.
“We have to overpay Wilder, like we do with every Joshua opponent.
“In fact, Joshua's last opponent probably received a similar purse as Wilder received last weekend to defend his world title."
On Saturday night after battering Stiverne, Wilder said: “I have been waiting on that fight for a long time, me versus AJ, I declare war on you AJ. I have been waiting a long time, I know I am the best. Are you ready for the test?
“I want Joshua, no more ducking, hiding and dodging. Let’s make it happen.
“My belt says heavyweight champion of the world, the difference is they want to stay in their safe heaven. I am ready to go anywhere in the world.
“If Joshua's a strong champion, a true champion, you guys in England should smoke him out, make him fight. You should see if he's the best.
“My heart says I'm the best, if I'm not I want someone to show me.”
But Hearn revealed, after seeing the size difference between the two heavyweight champs, that AJ would have the American for breakfast.
The Watford star wants the grudge match with former champion Tyson Fury and the WBO belt off of Kiwi Joseph Parker.
The Matchroom boss said: "I was really interested to see the weight of Deontay Wilder on the scales [15st 7]. I text that to Anthony.
"I shouldn't really tell you the reply, but it was 'I'll eat him,' and the size difference is huge. It's two-and-a-half stone now between those two.
"Of course Joshua has told me we want all the belts and that means taking on all the champions.
"The gentleman over there sitting ringside, Tyson Fury, he's in the plans for 2018 as well, Joseph Parker as well.
"I had a text from his promoter tonight, asking if we fancy making that fight next.
"Everybody wants to fight Anthony Joshua and you will see him fight everybody."
