Deontay Wilder: Anthony Joshua's team are 'begging' for fight, says WBC champion

Good points. I've been assuming the UK market would still mostly be there for a AJ Wilder fight, and that that was the critical feature, making a Wilder Fury II fight still in Wilder and Fury's interests. I hadn't given too much thought to Hearn AJ's interests recently, but assumed he would be good getting a reduced Wilder coming in for a much lower price. But yeah, the American market opening Wilder would present might wane considerably if he loses to Fury, especially if he loses by KO, which I personally think Fury will do next time. Not to mention Fury then becomes someone you would have to give 50% or damn close to it, and other concessions which could make an impact in the course of the fight itself. And as Fury is the bigger threat to AJ, Hearn should want to freeze him out as much as possible. Or else get him now, while he is still in a more reduced position.

Anyway, re Wilder, would Hearn offer 40%? Would Wilder take it? I'm inclined to think that 40% would get it done, or something very close to that.

Then again, Hearn would and should want it to be in the UK against as dangerous a fighter (whatever one thinks of him, he is dangerous) as Wilder. UK fights have a harder time transferring to US audiences than vice versa. Will a win in the UK over Wilder really open the US market all that much for AJ? US audiences have to see it to really be brought in by it; knowing AJ beat Wilder wouldn't really move the needle too much.

Also, there is the mental aspect. Wilder is the easier win for AJ (although more dangerous to actually ko AJ). If I'm Hearn, I want AJ feeling fully as the champion whenever he does face Fury. If Fury beats Wilder next, AJ and Fury are going to come into their own unification on largely equal terms. AJ koing Wilder and being the first fully unified HW champ with all the belts would allow AJ to not only still have a big upper hand on negotiations with Fury, but also a psychological advantage for the fight itself of being the solid favorite. (Although, while that would be helpful for AJ, I think after Wlad and Wilder fights, its clear it doesn't really hold Fury back much).

A lot of things to consider. I ultimately won't really be surprised however it turns out. Personally, I'd kind of rather see AJ Wilder next. If AJ beat Wilder impressively, which I would still pick, it would set up Fury coming in as a big underdog for the third time in his career against another great HW. If Fury pulled off the hat trick, it would really be an unprecedented achievement.

 

It's not exactly 'all of a sudden' though, is it. AJ has been involved in more big fights than most after just 22 bouts. Looking at his record I don't see how he could have done much more. This forum would implode if he had 5 voluntaries in a row at the same standard as Wilder did.

I wouldn't say it's a vendetta for Hearn either, more like he's backed himself into a corner. He's made too many comments about AJ now calling all the shots to go back on it all now. He's also got to prove his worth to AJ to stop Joshua from thinking he can go it alone like Mayweather did.

 

Has the official PPV figures been released yet? Where were they giving away the fight tickets?

 

They gave hundreds of tickets away to firemen and emergency services... it was broadcast in the VLOGS on youtube.

 

Okay I thought you meant they were giving away tickets to normal people on the street. My bad.