Joshua vs Wilder: Showtime ready and willing to mediate, if needed

Anthony Joshua has the backing of influential American broadcaster Showtime in his pursuit of Deontay Wilder, according to a report from British media outlet Sky Sports.

Both heavyweight champions’ fights are broadcast in the United States by television company Showtime, which wants to exert its clout and help agree a - lucrative for all parties - fight for the undisputed title.

”We do. We have a vested interest in both guys, and feel attached to each,” Showtime vice president and general manager Stephen Espinoza exclusively told Sky Sports.

“If we can help mediate, we will. We have offered that. We are a key element of the negotiation.”

... ”Deontay will make the decisions that suit him best, as will Anthony. But we have a long history with Deontay - a close working and personal relationship. The same is true with AJ, except the history is not as long. They each know our heart is in the right place. Our interest is making this fight at the right time, under the right conditions.”

Joshua unified the IBF, WBA and WBO belts against Joseph Parker on March 31, after WBC holder Wilder recently retained his belt against Luis Ortiz.

Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn first held talks with Wilder’s representative Shelly Finkel in late 2017 and Showtime has now lent its weight to a fight for all four major belts.

Showtime does not have a definitive preference on whether Joshua-Wilder, if it can be agreed, should be staged in the UK or the US.

“The atmosphere will be electric wherever it is. We haven’t seen anything like AJ’s live crowds over the past year, but there is a glitz, glamour and cache about a big heavyweight fight in Vegas.

”There is not a bad decision, in terms of the location or timing.