Deontay Wilder to attend Fury vs. Pianeta on Saturday

Boxingnews24.com

By Scott Gilfoid: Deontay Wilder confirmed on Monday that he’ll be in attendance for Tyson Fury’s fight this Saturday night against Francesco Pianeta at Windsor Park in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Fury (26-0, 19 KOs) and WBC heavyweight champion Wilder (40-0, 39 KOs) are in negotiations to face each other on November 10 or November 17 in the United States.

Wilder being at ringside on Saturday will give him an opportunity to square up with Fury inside the ring to get an early start promoting their November mega-fight. Fury doesn’t care that he’s taking a huge risk in facing Wilder in his third fight of his comeback, he’s an old school fighter, who doesn’t believe in burning through two to three years of tune-ups before facing the best heavyweight in the division. Fury will be ready to face Wilder in November once he dispatches the 6’5” Pianeta on Saturday.

”Belfast, Ireland tha #BombZquad will be in the building this weekend looking forward to you all. #AllPositiveEnergy,” Wilder said on his Twitter. ”Belfast Northern Ireland !!!!! It’s going to be a great night I really look forward to Belfast.”

Fury is taking the fight against Deontay that Joshua didn’t want to take. Joshua chose to face 38-year-old Alexander Povetkin on September 22 instead of facing Deontay, which has caused the boxing world to ridicule the Eddie Hearn promoted fighter. Many fans think Joshua is afraid of Wilder.

What’s interesting is Wilder is being welcomed by Fury and his team. They have no issues with Wilder being ringside for the Pianeta fight. There’s a good chance that the 6’7” Deontay will be allowed to get inside the ring for a faceoff with Fury before or after the Pianeta fight. Wilder was treated differently by Anthony Joshua and his promoter Eddie Hearn when he was hoping to be at ringside for AJ’s fight against Joseph Parker. Joshua recently said that Wilder couldn’t get inside the ring with him for his September 22 fight against Alexander Povetkin at Wembley Stadium in London, England. Joshua said the only way Wilder can enter the ring for his fight against Povetkin is if he signs the contract first for April 13 next year. Wilder is more than willing to fight Joshua, but not for the $15 million flat fee that his promoter Eddie Hearn wants him to agree to. While $15 million sounds like a lot of money, it’s peanuts for a fight that could bring in over $100 million. If the Joshua-Wilder fight brings in $100 million, Joshua walks away with $85 million and Wilder $15 million. That’s an 85/15 split in favor or Joshua. Wilder would be getting less of a split than a mandatory challenger. It’s a great deal for Joshua if Wilder agrees to the $15 million flat fee, but a TERRIBLE one for him.

Interim WBO featherweight champion Carl Frampton, who is facing Luke Jackson in the main event on the August 18 card this Saturday night at Windsor Park, showed his class in saying this to Wilder, ”We’re looking forward to your arrival big man.”