Deontay Wilder recently rejected Eddie Hearn and Anthony Joshua’s latest offer to unify the Heavyweight division. It has been reported that Eddie Hearn and his team offered Wilder’s camp a flat fee of $12.5 million for this fight.
Wilder, like many boxing fans, felt this offer was laughable.
Before the terms came out, Joshua was vocal about wanting this matchup. Joshua described his team’s proposition as “a very good offer that should create a lot of interest from Wilder.”
A flat fee of $12.5M with no portio of the pay-per-view revenue is a straight up slap in the face. In fact, it seemed to be a clear sign that Hearn was not even interested in negotiating the highly-anticipated Heavyweight unification.
The WBC champ has been vocal for months about wanting to fight Joshua. He has submitted to Joshua’s most important requests. Wilder has agreed to fight on the Brits home soil, as well as take the smaller percentage of the purse, however for a fight that is estimated to generate close to $100 million, a 80/20 percent split is a far cry from fair.
On Wednedsay, April 25, 2018, Lance Pugmire of the LA Times reported that Wilder has gone one step further–offering up $50 million and at least 50 percent of total revenue.
The team of @BronzeBomber today has offered @anthonyfjoshua $50 million and at least 50 percent of total revenue to fight in U.S. between Sept. and Dec, no rematch clause, @loudibella tells me. Story soon at @latimessports
— Lance Pugmire (@latimespugmire) April 25, 2018
Wilder also released a video via social media, confirming that the offer is indeed real.
.@anthonyfjoshua Mate! I sent this personally this time just so there’s no miscommunication. Tell @EddieHearn to let you personally check his email this time. BTW I sent Your manager Rob McCracken the email as well. I’m looking forward to our meeting in the ring. #KingVsKing pic.twitter.com/WbH8SB5Qm5
— Deontay Wilder (@BronzeBomber) April 25, 2018
It seems that this latest offer can confirm whether or not Eddie Hearn is truly afraid that his fighter will lose to Wilder.
As for Joshua himself, if his Instagram response indicates anything, it seems that he is ready to take the fight.
Header photo by Marily Paulino/RBRBoxing
