Eddie Hearn pegs Joshua-Wilder chances at 70 percent

Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn is pretty positive about the chances that we’ll see Anthony Joshua face Deontay Wilder soon, pegging the fight’s chances at 70 percent, according to what he told Sky Sports:

“70 percent. Their side has been very vocal in letting the media know about everything that is happening. We’ve had some positive conversations over the past day or so. Negotiations are ongoing and we’re all hopeful to reach an agreement. … I believe they want to make the fight.”

Hearn says he sent some questions to the Wilder team on Tuesday, and that the reported $50 million offer brought the fight closer, but without any official paperwork.

Joshua (21-0, 20 KO) defeated Joseph Parker by decision on March 31, the first time he’d gone the distance as a pro, unifying the WBA, IBF, and WBO titles. Wilder (40-0, 39 KO) holds the WBC belt, which he defended successfully in a wild slugfest with Luis Ortiz on March 3.

If Joshua doesn’t face Wilder next, it’s expected he’ll take on WBA mandatory challenger Alexander Povetkin (34-1, 24 KO), who is probably the No. 3 heavyweight in the world right now, but in terms of money and buzz, also probably a big step down from a Wilder fight.