Advertisement

Anthony Joshua still hoping for Deontay Wilder unification fight despite Tyson Fury rematch sanction

Joshua has Wembley booked for April 2019: Getty Images
Joshua has Wembley booked for April 2019: Getty Images

Anthony Joshua still hopes to fight Deontay Wilder to unify the heavyweight division despite the World Boxing Council sanctioning a rematch between the American and Tyson Fury, according to Eddie Hearn.

Wilder and Fury fought out a controversial split-decision draw in Los Angeles last week with many feeling the Manchester-born fighter should have been given the win.

Both fighters have said they want a rematch with the WBC later releasing a statement stating there has been an “unanimous agreement” among the board of governors to sanction a second fight between the two undefeated heavyweights.

But until the governing body officially orders the rematch, Joshua’s promoter Hearn believes Joshua vs Wilder could still happen next year.

When asked if the WBC’s announcement would shelve plans for the unification showdown, Hearn told Sky Sports: "No, I think the wording was everything in that one, sanctioned not ordered.

"I think what they're saying is they would approve the rematch.

"Dominic Breazeale is the mandatory, who is supposed to fight the winner, so what they're saying is that they would allow the rematch.

"As far as I see, they haven't ordered it. We'll see. I don't think it really changes much. If Wilder wants to fight Fury, he'll fight Fury.

"If he wants to be undisputed, he'll fight Joshua. It [unification] can trump anything. I don't know how much that means to Wilder. It means everything to us, means everything to Joshua, but the rematch is a big fight."

Joshua is scheduled to fight again in April at Wembley Stadium.