Deontay Wilder to receive two-fight deal to face Anthony Joshua

According to Matchroom Sport promoter Eddie Hearn, Deontay Wilder will be offered two fights with Anthony Joshua, but a potential wildcard bout could be in play.

The first bout would be on April 13th at Wembley Stadium in London. And the second fight, if Wilder is triumphant, would be in the United States.

Wilder will have to defeat Tyson Fury next Saturday evening at Staples Center in Los Angeles, in the main event of a Showtime pay-per-view card.

If Fury wins, there is an immediate rematch clause - which would delay a fight with Joshua until at least the fall.

If Wilder wins, a deal could be done within three weeks.

"If Fury wins and the rematch clause kicks in, we know we've got to move on ourselves, but my instruction is 'Make that fight.' They haven't really wanted to speak to me before it. Now when the fight's over, if Wilder wins, we'll be on him on Sunday, saying any chance now? Can we meet now? If they say no again, I don't know what else we can do," Hearn told Sky Sports.

"If they are true to their word, on December 2, if they beat Tyson Fury, we will immediately start negotiations, and we'll see where we get to. April 13 is easy, and it's a two-fight deal this time, the offer that we've made. One in America, one in the UK, we cannot say fairer than that.

"We've got to do our best to try and make it happen, and we'll be doing that straight after the fight. We've been trying to do it for the last two months, but no, wait, wait, wait. We'll wait, and then we'll have a go on December 2, and we've probably got three weeks to make the fight. It's enough time, if everyone is sensible, but who knows whether they really want it deep down."

Wilder's co-manager Shelly Finkel also said that he is more than willing to resume negotiations with Hearn after the business with Fury is complete.

"I have never rejected a call from Barry or Eddie," said Finkel. "My phone is always open to them."

Hearn also refused to rule out Wladimir Klitschko returning from retirement to try and avenge his April 2017 knockout loss to the 2012 Olympic gold medalist.

"People talk about Andre Ward, Wladimir Klitschko, who knows what could happen? But you can't just limit yourself to saying 'all eggs in one basket for Deontay Wilder, or Dillian Whyte,' because he's got a very tough fight against Derek Chisora. Chisora and Haye are thinking 'we're going to beat Dillian Whyte and fight AJ ourselves.'

"Bernd Boente [Klitschko's long-time manager] said 'It's not Wladimir Klitschko' and Wladimir said 'Hold on, don't talk for me, I'll talk for myself.' An April return, Wladimir Klitschko against Joshua, who knows? That would be what? Two years on from their first epic fight. One of the best heavyweight fights of all time. We'll see."

Klitschko has distanced himself from his manager.

He tweeted on Tuesday: "Since retiring from the sport, my brother and I are active in different fields of life, but neither of us want, or need a personal 'manager.'"