Barry Hearn Claims Wilder Is Jealous Of Joshua

After Deontay Wilder decided to take shots at his son, Matchroom Boxing founder Barry Hearn, has replied in-kind to the WBC world heavyweight champion.

Emotions have been running high this week, as Matchroom Boxing centerpiece, Anthony Joshua, was forced to negotiate a fight wtih WBA mandatory challenger Alexander Povetkin. That move by Joshua comes after Wilder and his team wanted specifics mapped out in a contract for a heavyweight unification fight for the two.

Now, Wilder has been pushed out of the equation until Joshua can fight the Russian challenger, which incensed the WBC titlist and sent him on a social media tirade.

Now, the Matchroom chairman has come out and claimed that jealousy is what fuels Wilder.

“There is a contract on [Wilder’s] people’s desk which says: April 13, 2019, Wembley Stadium,” Matchroom chairman Hearn told Sky Sports News. “The contract encapsulates all the terms that you agreed.

“We appreciate Wilder isn’t making any money. He probably looks at Joshua with a good degree of jealousy… Wilder has something in front of him where he can plan his future. He can earn five or six times more than he’s ever earned in his life.”

“And if he’s good enough, he’s got all the cookies. Unbelievable! He will be massive.

Wilder has made it known he wants the fight, and that it was Eddie Hearn and Joshua backing out of the deal, due to being scared of a challenge from Wilder.

“Don’t give me any rubbish,” Hearn continued. “You either want the fight or you don’t want the fight.

“AJ is giving you the opportunity. Paying you $15m to live the dream and find out how good you are.

“We are committed. We’ve got Wembley booked. And if it’s not Wilder, it’s got to be someone else…”

Initial Report: Sky Sports