DEONTAY WILDER, ANTHONY JOSHUA FIGHT MAY HAPPEN IN SAUDI ARABIA THIS YEAR

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Deontay Wilder would be open to a long-awaited heavyweight fight against Anthony Joshua in Saudi Arabia this year, according to the former WBC world champion manager Shelley Finkel.

Finkel said Wilder is looking for his next opponent after his victory against Robert Helenius in one round last October.

Wilder gave another glimpse of his devastating power in a first-round demolition of Robert Helenius in October and would be happy to face Joshua, an eagerly anticipated duel between the division’s two biggest punchers.

“Deontay has wanted to fight Joshua for a long time and of course is willing to fight him in Saudi Arabia,” Finkel said.

Joshua, two-time world champion, after sealing a unanimous decision victory over American Jermaine Franklin at The O2 earlier this month, sparked fresh speculation about his next career move by announcing on social media that he would not return to the ring until December.

Both boxers were reportedly in talks to fight in 2019, with Wilder’s side apparently offering £40 million ($50 million) to hold the bout in Las Vegas. However, Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn cut off the talks after failing to see evidence of the prize.

Heavyweights Joshua and Wilder both held world title belts at the time; Joshua held the IBF, WBO, and WBA belts, while Wilder held the WBC crown.