Deontay Wilder has options!
WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder told media sources recently he is a free agent. As things continue to play out. that announcement could work in his favor.
Since, both Bob Arum and Eddie Hearn have spoken about offering the slugger from Alabama lucrative offers. All these discussions began when lineal heavyweight champion Tyson Fury announced earlier this week that he signed a mega deal with Arum’s Top Rank and ESPN. That news put a Wilder/Fury rematch that most fans thought was a done deal into question.
Early reactions from those involved were that the fight could still be made. However, bringing in a new party and network certainly muddied the waters, resulting in speculation that it wouldn’t happen. That was until Wilder spoke out about his current contract status. Make no mistake, Wilder is still advised by PBC head honcho Al Haymon and is still promoted by Haymon de facto promoter Lou Dibella.
All the same, he can fight on whatever network he wants. Most fans would read this and think “yeah right, those guys aren’t going to work together”. For those that paid attention though, they would see it’s not out of the realm of possibility; especially considering all parties have worked together recently.
Evidence On Hand
Not long ago, Lou Dibella fighter Regis Prograis was headlining a Top Rank card on ESPN and Al Haymon-advised Eleider Alvarez signed a very lucrative deal with Arum and Top Rank. On the DAZN end of the spectrum, Dibella who manages Wilder, and Hearn who manages heavyweight rival Anthony Joshua, worked together to co-promote super featherweight champion Tevin Farmer.
So, while most people are accustomed to the negotiations around these three fighters being tumultuous at best, the reality is the parties involved do have a working relationship and COULD get a deal done.
For Wilder, this can only be a good thing as both options would play out in him receiving big paydays. The deal with Hearn and DAZN would be a huge two-fight deal which sees Wilder defend his title this summer. From there, he will then go into an undisputed title fight with Anthony Joshua later in the year. As bad as fans want to see Wilder and Fury run it back, a heavyweight unification fight between AJ and “The Bronze Bomber” would make fans quickly forget about anything else going on in boxing.
It is hands down the biggest fight that can be made. In this writers opinion, the more likely route would see Wilder work with ESPN and go into the highly anticipated rematch with Fury. While fans may still clamor for the big unification, this rematch would still draw lots of attention. Then, with the ESPN marketing machine backing the fight, it has potential to double the numbers from the first fight.
The Takeaway
Long story short, Wilder won’t be left out in the cold because of the Gypsy Kings new deal; he still has big opportunities in front of him. What the former Olympic Bronze Medalist chooses do at this point is up to him. One thing is sure though, he’s not short on options.
By: Tanner Gill
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