WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman reveals Anthony Joshua could fight Deontay Wilder in a final eliminator for Tyson Fury’s WBC title
- Joshua could face Wilder next year as the final eliminator for the WBC belt
- However, WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman says they will have to wait a while longer
- John Fury wants to ‘crack’ his son Tyson’s balls to turn him into an elite fighter again – Listen to The hook
WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman has confirmed that Anthony Joshua could meet Deontay Wilder as a final eliminator to determine a mandatory contender for the heavyweight title.
Joshua and Wilder have made it clear they are keen to fight each other after competing in separate fights against Otto Wallin and Joseph Parker in Saudi Arabia on December 23.
Sulaiman has confirmed that AJ and Wilder will fight each other as a final eliminator for the WBC title if they both emerge victorious from their respective fights in December.
However, they will have to wait a while longer for a shot at the title as Tyson Fury – who currently holds the WBC title – will face Oleksandr Usyk – who currently holds the IBF, WBA and has a WBO title. Arabia.
Sulaiman also suggested there could be a rematch between Fury and Usyk, which could take place before Wilder or Joshua get their shot at the undisputed title.
AJ and Wilder will fight on December 23 on the same card but against different opponents
WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman has confirmed that Joshua could meet Wilder as a final eliminator to determine a mandatory contender for the heavyweight title
“We waited and pushed and mediated and encouraged everyone to try this [Joshua vs Wilder] happen,” Sulaiman told Sky Sport.
‘When Wilder was champion, there were a few moments when Wilder-Joshua came very close. The WBC left that window without dealing with anything that could get in the way. Then he was ready with Tyson Fury to fight Joshua and then Usyk.
“The problem that could happen is a mandatory candidate,” he continued. ‘We did order Wilder against it [Andy] Ruiz, which was a huge struggle to find a mandatory candidate.
“That fight didn’t happen. So the WBC Board of Governors has approved Fury vs. Usyk in February and then the rematch, so there will be nothing, as far as the WBC is concerned, to get in the way of both fights happening.”
However, they will have to wait a while longer as Fury – who currently holds the WBC title – will face Usyk – who currently holds the IBF, WBA and WBO titles – in Saudi Arabia on February 17.
Sulaiman also suggested there could be a rematch between Fury and Usyk, which could take place before Wilder or Joshua get their shot at the undisputed title.
Sulaiman further spoke in detail about the December 23 card, saying: “In itself it is a natural WBC elimination tournament. You have Wilder, number 1, Joshua, you have Parker, you have Otto Wallin, they are all high in the WBC. After December 23 we will see a different picture in the rankings.’
He added: “It looks like Wilder and Joshua are on a collision course. That could very well be a final elimination to determine a mandatory contender for the WBC title.”
December 23 is billed as a ‘Day of Reckoning’ in boxing and is perhaps one of the biggest cards in history after a disappointing year for heavyweight boxing.
Joshua, who has won 26 of his 29 fights, says the fight against Wallin will be the first step towards what he hopes will be a third world heavyweight title.
Meanwhile, Wilder will look to secure another win after knocking out Robert Helenius when he last entered the ring.
