Deontay Wilder’s management is ‘optimistic’ that an agreement for a megafight with Anthony Joshua may be reached.
After knocking out Robert Helenius in the seventh round on Saturday night, the British heavyweight hopes to face Bronze Bomber next.
American Wilder overcame Helenius, who was 39 years old at the time, in October of last year.
Joshua, a two-time heavyweight world champion, now plans to face Wilder in Saudi Arabia in January of next year.
Wilder’s manager Shelly Finkel told Sky Sports: “I am optimistic that a deal can be made for Deontay to fight Joshua in early 2024.”
According to his head coach, Malik Scott, Deontay Wilder believes Anthony Joshua’s knockout victory over Robert Helenius was ‘required’ in the build-up to their potential January superfight in Saudi Arabia.
Joshua defeated Helenius in the seventh round with a stunning right hand and is anticipated to face Wilder next, though their fight in the Middle East has yet to be confirmed.
Scott and the Bronze Bomber are pleased that AJ won because it raises the stakes for their own fight, even as Wilder’s camp is confident of victory.
“He [Wilder] was like ‘we needed that’. We both said the same thing because at first, it was looking like it was getting ready to go the distance,’ he told the October Red YouTube channel.
“So when the knockout came I called him on FaceTime and he was like, ‘I’m glad he got that, we needed it done just like that.’
“So we’re both satisfied, the fight is bigger to me than it was because of the knockout, so shoutout to AJ for going out there and getting the job done.
“Most of all a shoutout to Robert Helenius. It takes a lot of courage to get in that ring with real killers especially on short notice, on long notice, whatever it is.”