Wilder's Manager: If Joshua Really Wanted This Fight, It Would Happen

“When Mike Tyson wanted to fight Michael Spinks, no one and nothing could stop him,” says Shelley Finkel, Tyson’s former manager, now adviser and manager Deontay Wilder (43-2-1, 42 KOs), referring to Wilder's failed negotiations with Anthony Joshua (24-3, 22 KOs).

“Eddie Hearn and I are getting along well now, but he still can’t put Joshua against Wilder. The ball is on their side, as for me, then we could make this fight already this year. We fought for this fight for five years, and nothing came of it. And it's not our fault. One way or another, it all depends on the boxers themselves. Nothing and no one could stop Tyson from fighting Spinks. So if Joshua really wants to fight Wilder, nothing will stop him either. Otherwise, we will continue to hear all these excuses,” Finkel added.

“Further on, we will continue to work with PBC, but if someone comes to us with a really good offer, we will definitely consider it,” Wilder’s manager said.

Joshua will return to the ring on April 1 in London, thus starting a partnership with the DAZN platform. His opponent will be Jermaine Franklin (21-1, 14 KOs).