A deal for Anthony Joshua to fight Deontay Wilder is “almost” at the signing stage, the American heavyweight’s trainer has revealed.
Malik Scott has provided an insight into the negotations over the duo’s role in a potential mega showcase in Saudi Arabia this December, headlined by a meeting between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk.
“Without going into too much detail about the business aspect of it, everything's been said, talked about, negotiated,” he told Betway.
“Nothing’s been signed, but signing is almost upon us. The negotiations definitely are happening. Moves are being made. The business aspect is definitely being taken care of. Most of all, Deontay is being taken care of and is going to get paid very well for his services, and that's the most important part to me.
“I can confirm that the aim is to make both fights in one night, but the only fight that I know for sure is being negotiated is Deontay and AJ.”
While Scott believes there is around a 75 per-cent chance of Joshua vs Wilder being booked in, he has urged caution following a number of recent fights collapsing at this stage - including between Fury and Joshua and Fury and Usyk.
“Obviously it’s very exciting,” he continued. “But unfortunately in boxing you can't get too excited because the fight is not over until it is actually over. That's how I look at it.
“It's obviously one of the biggest cards, one of the biggest events of all time in my opinion, and Deontay is playing a huge, huge part of it. With me being his head coach, that obviously puts me in the mix as well.
“Out of all the heavyweights, Deontay is the best to me, the most dynamic, has the most electrifying attributes and I'm really, really looking forward to it.
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“I feel very strongly that this is going to happen, definitely more than a 50 per cent mark. I am 70, 75, possibly 80 per cent sure this happens. The only thing that gives me any doubt is because I know the sport that I'm in. I know how beautiful it is, but I know how it can let you down at times when it comes to big fights getting made. I'm not getting too excited.”
