Malik Scott is starting to become a frustrated trainer as Deontay Wilder’s ring hiatus is set to continue. Wilder has not been in competitive action following his October 2022 first-round knockout of Robert Helenius.
Former WBC world heavyweight world champion Wilder and former two-time unified world champion Anthony Joshua have been in lengthy negotiations but were edging closer to agreeing terms for a deal which would the heavyweight rivals finally come to blows in early 2024 in Saudi Arabia. The event’s would-be promoters, Skill Challenge Entertainment [SCEE], were present at Joshua’s latest outing against Robert Helenius last month and sought to close the deal.
However, Eddie Hearn, speaking earlier this week, started cast doubt on the situation despite saying that all terms had been agreed. Ultimately, Hearn and Joshua are still awaiting a contract to be sent to them by SCEE while also stating there is a possibility of the fight being held outside of Saudi Arabia.
“We’ve agreed terms for Joshua-Wilder, but until we receive a contract, the fight is not happening,” Hearn told Boxing King Media.
“Politically, it sounds like there’s a lot going on. For us, we are ready to take that fight. [Wilder’s co-manager] Shelly Finkel and I have spoken, they are ready to take that fight. It doesn’t just have to happen in Saudi Arabia. There are now other talks about other countries that it could take place in.”
Hearn continued to add that there are currently issues with the governance and management of Saudi boxing and, because of this, would not be surprised if Joshua faces Tyson Fury instead.
“There is a movement of management and ownership of boxing in Saudi and it’s up to them what they want to do. If they don’t do Joshua-Wilder, maybe it goes somewhere else. It’s one of the biggest fights in heavyweight boxing, we are being told they do [want to do it]. I really wouldn’t be surprised if Joshua ended up fighting Fury.”
ESNEWS questioned Malik Scott regarding Hearn’s comments regarding the negotiations and Scott expressed his frustration knowing that Wilder has been missing out on valuable ring activity.
“It’s a real frustrating frustration, because to me, out of everybody, Deontay is the one, as far as activity, is the one that misses out,” Scott told ESNews. “It’s a lot of promises, but it seems the promises are being broken a little bit. But we’ll see.”
