WBC President Says Joshua-Wilder Fight Could Be A Title Eliminator
A potential Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder fight could be for a WBC title eliminator.
That is according to WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman. Both boxers will appear on the ‘Day of Reckoning’ card this Saturday. Joshua headlines against Otto Wallin, and Wilder takes on Joseph Parker. Wins for both fighters set up a potential clash after reports that a two-fight deal had been agreed upon.
The first fight is alleged to be for March 9, 2024. Joshua has spoken about his desire to fight for a world title instead of a Wilder fight if he had the choice. That is not what the boxing fans wanted to hear since a fight has been discussed since 2018. They were on course for an undisputed clash, only for talks to break down. Wilder’s $50 million offer failed to result in a contract being sent. Joshua and Wilder would then lose their belts.
But that position could change with Sulaiman’s following comments. The winner of a WBC title eliminator becomes mandatory for the winner of Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury. Those two squared off in an undisputed fight on February 17, 2024. So, a WBC title eliminator offers Joshua and Wilder a route for all the belts.
Joshua Vs. Wilder
“The Day of Reckoning is an unprecedented event, and it’s a great tournament. If Wilder and Joshua fight, it will be a natural final elimination bout between the WBC’s No. 1 challenger Wilder and No. 2 Joshua for the mandatory shot. We’ll wait to see what happens on Saturday, but at this time there is nothing [yet official],” Sulaiman said
The WBC President also expressed his desire to make the biggest fights happen under the WBC. Since Fury became a champion, he had a mega-trilogy with Wilder. That was also accompanied by two offers to Joshua to make the fight. Two 60-40 offers failed to get the fight over the line. The first happened before Fury’s fight against Dereck Chisora.
But tight deadlines meant the fight never got made. Another offer was made to Joshua for a summer fight. The Brit instead chose to face Robert Helenius, with Fury distancing himself from Joshua. But given that the undisputed fight with Fury-Usyk has gotten over the line, Sulaiman was delighted at giving boxing fans what they wanted.
Sulaiman Reacts
“I feel very very excited. We’ve been having a push for this for many years. When Wilder was our champion [from 2015 to 2020], we provided all of the time and possibilities for him to face Joshua at the time. When Fury beat Wilder and became the champion, we did several things in the process, hoping [for Fury] to land the fight with Joshua, and then Usyk. So it’s been a long process – a long due process. Now it’s happening, and the WBC is proud, happy and supportive. It’s a great moment for boxing,” Sulaiman stated
The main focus for Joshua and Wilder is to come through their next fights. Provided that happens, fans could finally see that fight. ‘Find all the latest boxing news and MMA breaking updates on boxingnews.com’
