Anthony Joshua calls it ‘baffling’ Deontay Wilder rejected £100m DAZN deal for undisputed showdown
In March WBC king rejected a reported £100m offer by AJ’s US network DAZN that included a three-fight deal
ANTHONY JOSHUA called it “baffling” that Deontay Wilder rejected a £100millon deal offered by DAZN for an undisputed showdown between the pair to finally take place.
In March WBC king Wilder, 33, rejected a reported £100m offer by Joshua’s US network DAZN that included a three-fight deal.
It was claimed The Bronze Bomber had the chance to face Dominic Breazeale, and then AJ twice in the multi-million pound contract.
However, Wilder was advised to walk away from the offer and instead fight Breazeale on Showtime and remain a free agent.
Wilder scored a devastating first round KO of Breazeale, though Joshua is still scratching his head at why after 41 fights the Alabaman did not decide to accept the DAZN deal.
Joshua, 29, said: “If in five or 10 years from now I had the opportunity to become undisputed champion, where else would I go?
“I’d have done it for 10 years, I’d have done my defences, I’d have done my learning. Then it would be time to stamp my name on history. I’d be chomping for that.
“I want it after 20-odd fights. He’s had 40-odd fights and five more years, so I don’t know where he’s going.
It’s baffling to know why he didn’t take it after all the talk. How much more money has to be on the table?
Joshua on Wilder rejecting £100m DAZN deal
“He turned down double the amount to fight me and that was a real offer from a broadcaster. That wasn’t an email from Wilder, it was a real contract offer from a broadcaster offering Wilder the chance to fight on DAZN.
"A contract offering him a chance to fight one warm-up then me. And he could have fought me straightaway if he’d wanted, there was that option.
"It’s baffling to know why he didn’t take it after all the talk. How much more money has to be on the table?
“Broadcasters run boxing. But then we’ve had this situation before when fighters were on different broadcasters and still managed to fight.
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“There is the promotional side too and promoters protect their fighters, which is right.
“But if you believe in your fighter and they become undisputed, then you’re in a win-win situation. You take the risk and get the reward.”
After Wilder’s KO in New York Joshua has to follow suit as he defends his WBA, IBF and WBO crowns against Andy Ruiz Jr at Madison Square Garden on Saturday.