Representatives of the Saudi Arabian promotional entity, Skill Challenge Entertainment, are set to arrive today in London and will be speaking with Matchroom Boxing’s Eddie Hearn and other representatives of former unified heavyweight world champion Anthony Joshua.
The agenda will be to finalise and agree on terms with Anthony Joshua for a bout in Saudi Arabia against former WBC world heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder.
Declan Taylor of boxingscene.com first reported the reporting of the promotional entity’s imminent arrival in London.
A proposed bout between Joshua and Wilder has long been speculated during their respective world title reigns. However, no agreement was ever struck despite several attempts for the representatives of both parties to agree on terms to secure an opportunity for both fighters to contest the undisputed heavyweight world championship.
However, 2023 has seen momentum build towards a heavyweight collision between the pair following the Saudi’s ever-growing involvement in the sport.
A heavyweight card was touted earlier in 2023, which would have seen unified heavyweight world champion Oleksandr Usyk and WBC world champion Tyson Fury contest the undisputed championship. Joshua vs Wilder was proposed to feature on the card to support the main event. However, despite Usyk vs Fury collapsing and ruled out to feature in Saudi (and also London), Joshua vs Wilder remained on the table at all times to be held in Saudi.
Joshua is no stranger to fighting in Saudi Arabia, featuring against Andy Ruiz and Oleksandr Usyk and holds a popular standing within Saudi Arabia. Skill Challenge Entertainment were both actively involved with the promotion, logistics and financially of both promotions featuring Anthony Joshua.
Wilder has boxed once overseas as a professional but has recently visited the Arab nation. Wilder was seen earlier this year as a VIP guest of the Jake Paul vs Tommy Fury encounter in Saudi.
A date between the pair is yet to be confirmed. However, a provisional date was previously touted for the fight to take place at some point in December of this year.
However, it is likely and now speculated that the contest between Joshua and Wilder is set (provisionally) to take place on January 13th.
Joshua will face Robert Helnius this upcoming Saturday, and victory will seemingly all but assure his place to face Wilder. Defeat would see the current offer rumoured to be in the region of $60million U.S, removed from the table.
No details have been released or reporting to confirm if Deontay Wilder has agreed terms to face Joshua at the time of publication.
