Hearn: Saudis asked Joshua not to fight in summer

Anthony Joshua. Getty Images

August 12 in London Anthony Joshua (25-3, 22 KOs) will face Dillian Whyte (29-3, 19 KOs). Eddie Hearn claims that if he loses to the Body Snatcher, AJ could lose an important fight ...

“I don’t know how the fight with White will end, but we have been categorically told that the deal that is on the table [for the fight with Wilder] is void if Joshua loses to White. They [the Saudis] didn't want this fight, they almost asked us not to fight in the summer because AJ doesn't want this fight because he already has a fight in December. But Anthony said, "No, I want to fight," Hearn said in a talkSPORT interview.

According to unofficial data, Joshua's fee for the fight with Wilder, which will take place in December or January, should be $60 million.