Eddie Hearn says that nothing has been agreed on a fight between Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder next year, never mind a two-fight deal between the pair.
Both men are in action this weekend in Saudi Arabia, with Joshua taking on Otto Wallin and Wilder fighting Joseph Parker.
While neither of those contests are complete walkovers, talks have been ongoing over a blockbuster clash between AJ and the Bronze Bomber next year.
‘No, not at all,’ Hearn said at a press conference on Thursday. ‘I worry for Deontay Wilder in [his] fight, and anything can happen in our fight as well. Nothing agreed, and all irrelevant until Saturday night has finished.’
Wilder said of Joshua at the Saudi press conference: ‘Honestly I see a man that’s been focusing on the task that lies at hand. I’m not in his head, so I can’t speak for him.
‘A lot of people have asked me about his mannerisms, his demeanour, the way he’s been reacting to the media and the questions about me. I can’t speak for him.
‘We’re on the outside looking in. We’ll see. He has a big task to complete; I have one as well. When it’s all over, we can talk about it.’
The Brit was only concentrating on Wallin on Saturday, adding: ‘Pure focus on Saturday, that’s where my heart, soul and every cell in my body is focused. I wanna perform well. I put that pressure on myself; of course I’m tense. I want to hurt my opponent.’
Joshua and Wilder have made it clear that they do want to fight each other, though, with AJ promising just earlier on Thursday that it will happen.
‘I know what people want, I know what I want, that’s no secret – Deontay Wilder,’ Joshua told The Standard. ‘We’re sharing the same card finally, although we’re not in the ring at the same time.
‘That will come, I promise you. It just takes time. I’ve not shied away from the fact I want the Wilder fight. He’s keen, too.
‘When two fighters want to get into the ring, it usually happens.’
There is plenty to look forward to on the card this Saturday, enough to make it worthwhile for old foes Eddie Hearn and Frank Warren to come together for the event.
Dmitrii Bivol defends his light-heavyweight world titles against Lyndon Arthur, Daniel Dubois meets Jarrell Miller and Filip Hrgovic fights Mark De Mori among other bouts on an impressive undercard.
MORE : Deontay Wilder confirms deal is in place to fight Anthony Joshua in 2024
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