Deontay Wilder not a priority for Anthony Joshua, even with summer bout proposal on the table

Eddie Hearn, a prominent English boxing promoter, has made it clear that Deontay Wilder is no longer a potential opponent for Anthony Joshua in the near future, contrary to recent rumors suggesting a possible matchup between the two heavyweight boxers.

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Joshua has been presented with an opportunity to return to the ring in July as part of a proposed two-fight deal tied to Riyadh Season, with a highly anticipated showdown against Tyson Fury slated for November.

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However, Hearn has revealed that Wilder is not a part of the current plan, despite having called out Joshua after his victory over Derek Chisora, which had sparked hopes of a long-awaited clash between the former world champions.

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According to Hearn, key stakeholders behind the proposed deal are hesitant to risk the highly anticipated Joshua-Fury bout by pitting Joshua against a formidable opponent like Wilder beforehand.

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Hearn stated, "The deal that we have been offered to fight in July and then fight Tyson Fury in November is not with Deontay Wilder in mind," in an interview with talkSPORT.

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He further explained that the powers that be are not keen on Joshua engaging in a high-risk fight, saying "The powers that be don’t really want us to be in that type of fight."

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The offer, which was put forward by Turki Alalshikh in collaboration with Ring Magazine and Riyadh Season, is designed to lead Joshua directly into a high-stakes clash with Fury, according to Hearn.

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Hearn noted, "This is an offer that has been made… and that looks like the route that we will take," indicating that the proposed deal is likely to move forward.

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While emphasizing that Joshua has no issue with facing Wilder, Hearn suggested that the American is unlikely to be featured under the terms of the current agreement, saying "We have no problem fighting Wilder, but I don’t think it will be Wilder under the basis of this deal."

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Joshua, who has been out of action since his knockout win in December, is expected to participate in a lower-risk interim bout in July as preparations intensify for a potential career-defining encounter with Fury later this year.