Dogli Wilberforce
Eddie Hearn has shared new details about the failed talks for a heavyweight fight between Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder. Speaking on the Cigar Talk podcast, Hearn described a period when the fight was close to being announced. Both fighters had already signed, and plans were in place for a face-off in the ring.
However, the situation changed after Joshua’s scheduled opponent lost. Around that same time, Hearn said he received an email offering $50 million for the fight. The message raised questions because it came from a personal account and omitted key details. His account adds context to why the Anthony Joshua vs Deontay Wilder fight did not happen despite strong interest and ongoing discussions.
Anthony Joshua Fight Was Close to Being Announced
Hearn said the deal had reached an advanced stage before it fell apart. He explained that both sides had signed and were ready to go public with the fight.
“Everybody signed for that fight. And the night that he lost to Joseph Parker, we were getting in the ring, doing a face-off, and announcing the fight. So it was done.”
The loss changed the timeline, but talks did not stop. Discussions continued as both camps explored ways to finalize the bout. The Anthony Joshua vs Deontay Wilder matchup remained a target during that stretch.
Deontay Wilder $50 Million Offer Raised Questions
Hearn said he later received an unexpected message that claimed to offer Joshua $50 million to fight Wilder. The email appeared to come from Wilder’s personal account.
“What he did was, he sent an email from Deontay Wilder at Gmail. Might have been a Yahoo account. But from his own personal account saying, ‘Hello Eddie, Anthony, whatever, I would like to offer $50 million for you to fight me.’ That was it.”
Hearn said the message did not include a contract or financial details. He replied to ask for more information.
“So I reply and I go, ‘Thank you, but could you tell me, like, could we get a contract? Who’s paying the money? What’s the details?’”
He said the response required them to accept the offer before any documents would be shared.
“They said you have to confirm you accept the fight before we give you that information or send you a contract. I’m like, what is this?”
Hearn said he did not reject the offer but asked for proof and structure.
“All we did was ask for a contract. I never replied saying no. I just said, ‘Where’s the money?’”
He also described another request linked to the process.
“Next thing I’ve got to pay a 20 grand deposit into an account to get the contract,” he said.
Tensions and Failed Negotiations
The breakdown in talks involved more than one issue. Hearn pointed to wider tensions between teams and key figures in the sport. He said there were meetings involving Al Haymon and John Skipper during that period.
“Wilder got offered something crazy like 40 million, 60 million, like a multi-fight deal. And they turned it down.”
Hearn also recalled a meeting in New York with Haymon and Shelly Finkel.
“I had a meeting in New York with Al to talk about the fight. He didn’t even want to look me in the eye. I thought, this fight ain’t happening.”
The talks did not produce a final deal. The Anthony Joshua vs Deontay Wilder fight never happened despite several attempts and strong interest.
