Anthony Joshua vs Deontay Wilder: Eddie Hearn wants American to ignore Tyson Fury rematch with April offer

Hearn has insisted the WBC champion's dramatic draw with Fury did 'absolutely abysmal' pay-per-view numbers in America

Eddie Hearn has again offered Deontay Wilder a lucrative April 13 Wembley clash with Anthony Joshua after claiming the WBC champion's dramatic draw with Tyson Fury did 'absolutely abysmal' pay-per-view numbers in America.

It is understood that the memorable and controversial December 1 encounter was bought by upwards of 300,000 customers in America at a price of $74.99, generating around $23m.

In what was the heavyweights' American pay-per-view debut, that result was seen as promising by some, especially as Showtime, who broadcast the fight in the States, had a break even figure somewhere around the 250,000 mark.

But Hearn has slammed those numbers and is now hoping to put a spanner in the works of a proposed Wilder-Fury rematch by securing a history-making, four-belt unification by luring the American to London this spring.

Joshua is already scheduled to defend his IBF, WBA and WBO titles at Wembley on April 13 with Dillian Whyte, should he beat Dereck Chisora again on December 22, currently expected to be the opponent.

However Hearn believes the split draw result in Los Angeles may have made it easier for him to convince Wilder to travel.

“It's now easier to make the Wilder fight vs other circumstances,” said Hearn, Joshua's promoter.

“So if Wilder would have won devastatingly, he would have been a f****** nightmare.

“Everyone thought he lost so he drew and although his stock has gone up because he is well-known, it's not like he was this phenomenon.

“To do 300,000 buys is terrible, absolutely terrible. 300,000 is absolutely abysmal. Dillian Whyte against Joseph Parker did more than 300,000 buys in England. I mean we're talking about across the US.

“You can't say it's good. Canelo and Golovkin have just done 1.2 million and they're middleweights.”

Immediately after Wilder's draw with Fury, Hearn flew to LA where it was suggested he held talks about a potential clash between the so-called Bronze Bomber and Joshua.

Promoter Eddie Hearn recently flew to Los Angeles (Getty)

But when asked about the nature of his rumoured meeting, Hearn said: “No I'm not saying anything. Because I talked too much last time and I have a pact now where I'm not going to say anything.”

However, he did add: “The first Wilder fight would be here [in England] and we'd agree to a second Wilder fight in America. That's the difference this time, we're saying: "We'll give you two fights". Because last time they accepted one fight with a rematch clause for Joshua so we're willing to make concessions.”

On Friday, the WBC confirmed that their board of governors had unanimously voted in favour of a 'direct rematch' between Fury and their champion Wilder, who has a mandatory due in the form of Dominic Breazeale.

It was suggested by some that this could be regarded as bad news for Joshua's hopes of fighting either Wilder or Fury next, but Hearn does not agree.

Anthony Joshua's next opponent is yet to be announced (Getty)

He said: “The WBC thing is totally irrelevant and shame on any reporter that reported it as "The WBC order a rematch" because they haven't ordered a rematch.

“They've said they'll sanction a rematch. There is a mandatory due and that's Dominic Breazeale and they're basically saying they would approve this fight – "we encourage it and we would sanction it, we basically give it our blessing".

“It doesn't change anything at all, but Wilder may choose to rematch Fury, it's a big fight. It just all depends how much Wilder wants to be undisputed champion. He's always gone on about "one face, one champion" well this is it.

“We may never get another chance. Wilder may get beaten by Fury, Joshua may get beat. Who knows? But this is the chance for all the belts on the line.”

It took a long time for Deontay Wilder to figure his rival out (PA)

Wilder was bamboozled for much of his contest with Fury, who also twice climbed up from the canvas after shipping heavy shots from the undefeated American.

It was only the second time Wilder, now 41-0, had been taken the distance and there were concerns that he may opt to avoid Fury after such an awkward night's work.

And Hearn added: “I think Joshua would be a lot easier to hit.

“But I also think Joshua would take him off his feet and knock him spark out and Tyson can't do that to him.

“So do you also look at the fight and say "well I can't get hurt in that fight". But they're very different fights.

“Every time you fight Tyson... even if Joshua fights Tyson it's going to be the most amazing event but it's also going to be quite an awkward night.

“Whereas if he fights Wilder it's going to be X-rated because someone's head is getting taken off.”