Fans have huge wait for Wilder to fight Fury or Joshua as Hearn reveals US boxer will face Breazeale, Ortiz and Kownacki first
A potential unification bout between the Bronze Bomber and AJ could be pushed back up to early 2021
EDDIE HEARN claims Deontay Wilder will have three tune-up fights before taking on Tyson Fury or Anthony Joshua.
AJ's promoter says that, following his fight with Dominic Breazeale on May 18, the Bronze Bomber's next rivals will be Luis Ortiz and Adam Kownacki.
Ever since Wilder controversially drew with Fury last year, fans have long been calling for another highly-anticipated showdown on top of the heavyweight division.
But it’s now looking like the American, 33, will not be taking on Joshua, 29, or the Gypsy King, 30, again anytime soon.
Hearn says he is "worried" that, once he gets past mandatory challenger Breazeale, the Bronze Bomber will fight Ortiz and Kownacki next.
And that could push a potential unification fight between Joshua and Wilder back up to early 2021.
Hearn told Barbershop Conversations: "Everybody in the business tells me that he [Wilder] has been told and all these fighters have been told that his next fights are Ortiz and Kownacki.
"That worries me because the only fight we want next is Deontay.
"They’ve got a plan to fight these other guys in place."
Meanwhile, Hearn might have also accidentally confirmed that Joshua will square off with Andy Ruiz on June 1.
AJ's camp are yet to announce who will replace Jarrell Miller after he has failed a number of drug tests and lost his boxing licence.
Speaking to reporters at Matchroom's first event in Los Angeles, Hearn was asked if Ruiz will be confirmed as Joshua's opponent.
He said: "Yeah, this weekend you'll get it."
But then - seemingly unable to properly hear the reporter's question - he quickly backtracked and added: "Oh, Andy Ruiz?! I’m not sure!"