Deontay Wilder Sets Rematch Plan With Anthony Joshua

Boxer from the United States, Deontay Wilder. (Photo: Twitter/@BronzeBomber)

JAKARTA Former world heavyweight title holder Deontay Wilder is arranging a duel package with Anthony Joshua which includes their rematch.

Joshua and Wilder are currently negotiating for clashes. The duel between the two boxers is planned to be held early next year in Saudi Arabia.

Wilder in an interview published on Thursday, August 24, said that he is currently trying to make a package deal with Joshua.

This duel package arranged them to fight twice. After the beginning of the year in Saudi Arabia, they had to get into the ring again for a rematch held in Africa.

"I'm actually working on a two-fight deal between me and Joshua. One in Saudi Arabia and the other we're going back to Africa's homeland," Wilder said.

Earlier this week Joshua's promoter, Eddie Hearn hoped the two camps would reach an agreement within the next two or three weeks. Otherwise he will look for a new opponent for his client.

However, in a recent statement, Wilder hinted that he wanted to get into the ring against Joshua. He even said he would start training to prepare for the duel.

"As far as boxing issues go, everyone knows Joshua's situation. It's serious. It's real. It's one of the duels that's going to happen. We're looking forward to it. I'll get into the training camp soon for that," he said.

"I will promote our duel in the next few months. In the end we will hold that match. I think it will be a great match, a great match between me and him (Joshua)," he added.

Wilder put forward a similar scenario earlier this year involving a two-fight deal with one of them in Africa. That's when he wanted to challenge former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou.

However, Cameroonian fighter Ngannou is scheduled to face WBC champion Tyson Fury on October 28 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Wilder said that the offer he received from Africa for the two-fight deal with Joshua was quite large, reaching $200 million.

"In Africa, they are willing to bid higher than Saudi Arabia today. They will bid 200 million dollars for each boxer," he said.

Wilder (43-2-1, 42 KOs) has not competed again since stopping Robert Helenius in one round in October last year. Joshua (26-3, 23 KOs) also beat the same boxer earlier this month in seven rounds.

Anthony Joshua himself admitted that the negotiation process with former WBC champion Deontay Wilder looks quite positive. Wilder is the only opponent he is currently focusing on.

"Everything is going well. In fact, I will focus on the fight against Wilder for now," he said.