Deontay Wilder Willing to Fight Anthony Joshua, 'Ready' to Begin Negotiations

Deontay Wilder is ready to take on Anthony Joshua in a heavyweight unification fight this summer in the United Kingdom, the American fighter's co-manager, Shelly Finkel, has confirmed.

In the wake of Joshua adding the WBO title to his IBF and WBA heavyweight belts by beating Joseph Parker in Cardiff, Wales, on Saturday, Finkel said on Monday that WBC champion Wilder is prepared to meet the Englishman, and it doesn't matter where the fight is held, per Gareth A. Davies in the Telegraph: 

"We are really glad that Anthony Joshua said for the first time 'I will fight Deontay next...' and we believe he is a man of his word. Deontay accepts the challenge.

"We want to make it public that Deontay wants the fight, and we are prepared to come over, or meet here and get the deal done. Deontay is ready to sign and come to the UK to fight this summer."

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Wilder, 32, is open to accepting a 60/40 split for the fight purse, according to Davies. The two camps have also discussed a two-fight deal, the first of which likely would take place at London's Wembley Stadium before a return clash in Las Vegas or New York.

Per Sky Sports' James Dielhenn, Russia's Alexander Povetkin is the mandatory challenger to Joshua's WBA belt, and a bout between the pair is likely to be forced soon. However, Finkel believes a unification fight—which would result in one fighter holding all four major heavyweight belts for the first time in history—would trump any mandatory obligations, per Davies:

"We're ready. Let's do it. And anyway, unification fights always trump mandatories. A unification between Wilder and Joshua would push the mandatories back.

"Assuming it will be Wembley Stadium in the summer, we are ready, and if they are ready as they say they are, we want to get it done. We want the fight, they want the fight, the public wants the fight. There is nothing to stop it going ahead."

Joshua's rise has breathed new life into the heavyweight division. Against Parker, he claimed his first-ever decision after 20 consecutive knockout victories in his first 20 professional bouts. 

The Alabama-born Wilder is also undefeated, with 39 knockouts and one decision in 40 contests.

Joshua, 28, vowed to knock Wilder out after his defeat of Parker, per talkSport:

The Olympic gold medallist now looks closer than ever to getting his chance, with the American having seemingly conceded to fight in England rather than his homeland.