Eddie Hearn has commented following WBN’s exclusive with Shelly Finkel over two points in the Anthony Joshua v Deontay Wilder contract.
As WBN exclusively revealed when updating late this week, they were standing on the verge of a massive agreement to square off this year, provided those clarifications Finkel spoke of were addressed.
On Friday, during a session of comments on social media, Hearn hinted those bones of contention were no longer an issue.
Stating ‘The Winkle had been satisfied’ – using his derogatory pet name for Finkel – Wilder’s co-manager and advisor, Hearn suggested an agreement could now be close.
Giving his latest update to WBN on Thursday, Finkel explained that their roadblock situation cropped up due to a failure to respond on the part of Joshua’s representatives.
Joshua vs Wilder
Finkel told World Boxing News: “We looked at the contract on Monday and raised two specific details in the paperwork that we needed clarification of.
“It’s frustrating. As Eddie Hearn states in the media, we must quickly sign the contract. But how can we sign if they don’t respond to our email and clarify our concerns?
“If we are being rushed, we really need to hear back from Barry to complete things on our side,” he added.
While an official deal with Wilder is closer than ever, many fans are questioning both side’s desire to reach an amicable agreement – correctly or not.
Social media is awash with conflicting stories of both Wilder and Joshua attempting to avoid a deal being done in earnest.
WBN understands this is not the case, as Finkel and his team hope to make an official announcement by next week if Matchroom fully clarifies the queries regarding the paperwork.
Since Finkel revealed those points, fans began quizzing Hearn and soon concluded that US television rights could be a stumbling block.
Hearn responds
Hearn answered one tweet asking if DAZN, Wilder, and Joshua would be working together with the term ‘they don’t care.’ This led to Showtime’s Stephen Espinoza raising his own questions on the matter.
Showtime has an exclusive deal in place to show Joshua fights. However, the new DAZN deal involving Hearn and Matchroom has been rumored to be in the running for Stateside broadcast rights to the heavyweight unification.
Espinoza, responding directly to DAZN’s possible involvement and quoting Hearn, stated: “What network/platform involved in boxing ‘doesn’t care’ about getting the rights to Joshua-Wilder?” – Something seems to allude to a possible problem.
Further news is expected to surface over the weekend, although WBN doesn’t believe a Joshua v Wilder agreement can be completed anytime this week – if it makes it over the line – due to time constraints.
Phil Jay is the Editor of World Boxing News. Follow on Twitter @PhilDJay.
