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Wild desire

Anthony Joshua against Deontay Wilder has moved a step closer after promoter Eddie Hearn revealed he’s had some ‘very encouraging’ news

WBC heavyweight champion and his team met with DAZN executive John Skipper to discuss a deal with the view of an undisputed championship fight with AJ

EDDIE HEARN has revealed there have been some “very encouraging” developments concerning a potential showdown between Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder.

WBC heavyweight champion Wilder, 33, and his team met with the head of broadcast giants DAZN John Skipper to discuss a deal with the view of an undisputed championship fight with Joshua.

 Eddie Hearn is the promoter of unified heavyweight world champion Anthony Joshua
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Eddie Hearn is the promoter of unified heavyweight world champion Anthony JoshuaCredit: REUTERS

Speaking to , Hearn - who promotes 29-year-old WBA, IBF and WBO champion and DAZN fighter Joshua - revealed the talks are “very encouraging”.

Hearn added: "I'm not going to say too much on it because I don't want to jinx anything.

“But I think there's an opportunity there for someone to be a mediator to get the fight done.

"Clearly, the relationship between Team Wilder and Team Joshua is not the best. I think this is a route that is going to be very beneficial to the making of that undisputed fight.

 Deontay Wilder is the WBC holder, the only belt Joshua needs to become undisputed heavyweight champion
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Deontay Wilder is the WBC holder, the only belt Joshua needs to become undisputed heavyweight championCredit: Getty Images - Getty

"It's not just about doing a deal with Wilder, it's about doing a deal with Joshua.

"They've got their work cut out, but the pieces are coming together. There's a long way to go but we'll see where it goes.

"Now I think there's a strategy in place that could lead us to this fight. There's a clear desire from both sides to make the fight (happen)."

Hearn explained his relationship with Team Wilder is troubled and that it needed a “mediator” in Skipper.

Skipper said he had no announcement to make after the meeting with Wilder, but clarified his strong “interest” in making the undisputed showdown.

 Wilder, seen alongside his co-manager Shelly Finkel, has failed in prior negotiations with Joshua and Hearn
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Wilder, seen alongside his co-manager Shelly Finkel, has failed in prior negotiations with Joshua and HearnCredit: AFP or licensors

He said:“ I will not characterize them all, or even confirm them, we have discussions with people and until we announce I rarely comment on them until we announce, so I don’t have anything to announce so no comment.

“Other than we’re interested in having the best fights on DAZN and we will put the fights on that people want to see.

“It’s pretty clear that one fight people want to see is Joshua and Wilder.”

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