‘Those rumours are TRUE’ – Deontay Wilder’s trainer Malik Scott CONFIRMS Saudi Arabia negotiations and says ball is in Anthony Joshua’s court for next fight
Deontay Wilder's trainer Malik Scott has confirmed that negotiations are taking place for major heavyweight fights to be staged in Saudi Arabia this year.
talkSPORT's Simon Jordan revealed rumours circulating about a potential tournament for boxing's glamour division being eyed by Middle Eastern organisers.
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The speculation suggested that Anthony Joshua is finally lining up a showdown with Wilder in December.
The rumour also claimed that the Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk undisputed world title fight is now being eyed for the same month in the same part of the world, which was already expected to be the case.
The winners would then meet in an ultimate heavyweight showdown in 2024.
When asked about this, Wilder's trainer Scott told : "I'm on the inside of the meetings, Deontay has me sitting right to him when we're doing these meetings.
"What I can say is the things people are hearing are not fibs.
"The negotiations have begun, not with certain fighters or certain things, but the negotiations are definitely in tact…
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Rumoured Three-Fight Saudi Mega Deal
🥊 December 2023: Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk
🥊 December 2023: Anthony Joshua vs Deontay Wilder
🥊 2024: Winner vs Winner
*Fights would supposed be preceded by Oleksandr Usyk vs Daniel Dubois (mandatory defence) and Tyson Fury vs Andy Ruiz (voluntary defence) this summer
"Everything is getting together, we're gonna see what fighters really wanna fight at that level.
"The ones that do, Deontay is gonna knock out and he's gonna become two-time heavyweight champion of the world.
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"I can say that those rumours are true, negotiations are going on and big fights are gonna be happening.
"Not just with us, with a lot of top fighters out there in the heavyweight division in Saudi Arabia."
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Asked directly about Anthony Joshua, Scott replied: "If you ask me, that's the only fight I want for Deontay.
"If we could get Usyk, of course, because he's got the belts. I'm fully with that.
"But I'm very, very big on Deontay fighting Anthony Joshua.
"I think it's good not just for boxing, I think it's good for so many reasons…
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"Every time someone comes to me and says, 'What's next for Deontay?' I always say, 'I'm hoping for Joshua.'
"Deontay wants the fight, I want the fight, Shelly Finkel wants the fight. This whole side over here wants the fight.
"We're gonna see what AJ does now, the ball is kind of in his court, so we're gonna see how he's gonna take advantage of it.
"We're ready."
And Eddie Hearn, Joshua's promoter, confirmed in a seperate interview with that the Wilder fight in the Middle East is on the cards.
“For AJ, one thing’s for sure his big fight - and it will come in the Middle East - will be in December.
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"And that will be Tyson Fury or Deontay Wilder. That’s what we’re planning.
"I will be going out to meet people to discuss AJ’s fight in December.”
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