Nigerian born British boxer, Anthony Joshua has stated that his much-anticipated fight against Deontay Wilder is “95 per cent” likely to happen this year.
Wilder called Joshua out and even went as far as to offer $50m to agree to a bout that decide definitively who would be crowned as the undisputed world heavyweight champion.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Joshua said: “The fight is going to happen. Ninety-five percent this year,”
“I’m really, really, really interested.
“You can’t talk about finances anymore because I’m well aware there is financial gain in this fight. So, let’s put that aside and look at the devil in the detail.
“You can’t just offer me a buy-out clause. I’m not here to sell my belts, let you take control of the event – that’s not what I’m about.”
Joshua is the holder of the IBF, WBA and WBO belts and his fight against Joseph Parker in March at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium sold nearly 250,000 tickets combined.
Meanwhile Wilder is a WBC champion and is unbeaten in 40 fights, most recently stopped Luis Ortiz and has staged three title defences in New York City.
“Let’s build this fight to its true potential,” Joshua said. “I want the fight in the UK and they want it in America.
“We’ve got a long time to finalise it, because it will [potentially happen at the end of the year]. We’re working tirelessly on it.
“I’m really interested in that fight.”