Deontay Wilder's Team Won't Meet to Discuss Fight, Anthony Joshua Promoter Says

Negotiations for the proposed heavyweight superfight between Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder took another twist on Friday, as Joshua's promoter Eddie Hearn told reporters Wilder's camp are refusing to meet with him.

Sky Sports published the claim via Twitter:

Hearn's comments come just days after Lance Pugmire of the Los Angeles Times reported Wilder's promoter, Lou DiBella, made an offer of at least $50 million to Joshua.

The Bronze Bomber also uploaded this video:

Joshua and Hearn didn't immediately respond via social media.

Both Wilder and Joshua sit at the top of the heavyweight rankings and hold all the major belts. The Bronze Bomber has been the WBC champion since 2015, while AJ is the WBA, IBF, IBO and WBO champion.

Fans have been anxiously awaiting a meeting between the two for years. Both have undefeated records and are known for their gargantuan power; each has won all but one of his fights by knockout. In Wilder's case, in a rematch with the only man who ever went the distance with him, he knocked out Bermane Stiverne in the opening round.

But like other superfights in recent years, there are several obstacles that make negotiations difficult. As Joshua, Tyson Fury and Dillian Whyte soak up much of the attention, the United Kingdom has emerged as the home of the heavyweight division, and Joshua has multiple lucrative fights he could line up before facing Wilder.

He also won't be too keen to fight in America, having sold out massive stadiums in England and Wales in three consecutive bouts. Wilder has failed to match his popularity, but he hasn't fought internationally since 2013.

Fans had to wait years to watch Floyd Mayweather Jr. duke it out with Manny Pacquiao, while Saul "Canelo" Alvarez and Gennady Golovkin also took their time setting a date. It would not be a surprise if these negotiations took a similar route.