Eddie Hearn has denied an agreement is in place for Anthony Joshua to fight Deontay Wilder next year, raising the possibility of another set of unfruitful drawn-out negotiations like what happened with Tyson Fury.
Joshua has been on the comeback trail in 2023 after back-to-back defeats to Oleksandr Usyk.
He's back in action this weekend as part of the blockbuster 'Day of Reckoning' card taking place in Saudi Arabia.
The two-time heavyweight champion faces Otto Wallin with Deontay Wilder also in action in the fight before.
Anthony Joshua may face another set of long negotiations
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Joshua and Wilder are seen as favourites in their respective bouts and there has been an expectation this bill will act as a warm-up to the pair facing off early next year.
Reports emerged this week that an agreement had been reached between the two camps on a two-fight deal.
But Hearn has poured cold water on those rumours, insisting in Thursday's press conference that nothing has been signed yet.
When asked whether an agreement was in place, Hearn said: "No, not at all.
"I worry for Deontay Wilder in [his] fight, and anything can happen in our fight as well.
"Nothing agreed, and all irrelevant until Saturday night has finished."
Hearn's comments suggest that Joshua facing Wilder is all dependent on both fighters winning their respective bouts this weekend.
But the lack of a firm agreement or announcement will resonate with boxing fans who grew tired of the long negotiations between Fury and Joshua's camp.
Talks eventually broke down between the two rivals as they attempted to get an all-British heavyweight match signed.
Anthony Joshua fights against Otto Wallin on Saturday night
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Fury versus Joshua has been the fight all boxing fans have wanted to see for the past decade now and it appeared to be close to a reality when it was announced they had agreed on financial terms for a fight to take place in December 2022.
But the fight ultimately fell through as contract talks collapsed with both camps accusing the other of being at fault.
Both boxers have continued to exchange barbs in the media since those talks collapsed, but Fury has repeatedly stated that he doesn't think a fight between the two Britons will ever happen.
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Eddie Hearn claims no agreement has been made for Wilder vs Joshua
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Fury said in September: “There is no Anthony Joshua to me.
"He’s just a gym sweeper who gets beat up, he’s like an old journeyman now.
"If you’re a decent heavyweight and want to beat up somebody, call him out. Nah, never [gonna happen].”
