Deontay Wilder gives glowing review of Eddie Hearn amid new partnership

Wilder has put his feud with Hearn aside to sign with the promoter for his upcoming fight against Zhilei Zhang in the hopes of securing a fight against Anthony Joshua

By: irishmirror.ie

Apr 26 2024
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Deontay Wilder gives glowing r

Deontay Wilder is glad to be working with Eddie Hearn after years of feuding with the boxing promoter.

Former heavyweight champion Wilder spent almost a decade going back and forth with Hearn over an ill-fated against Anthony Joshua. Wilder was expected to face 'AJ' if he beat Joseph Parker last December, but ruined plans of an illustrious two-fight deal when he put on a poor display to lose on points.

Hearn is now promoting Wilder at the upcoming Matchroom vs Queensbury '5 vs 5' event on June 1 as the American takes on fellow KO artist Zhilei Zhang, who was also beaten by Parker in his last fight. "It’s a beautiful thing. Over years of back and forth, disagreements and different little things, but life brings about a change and change is always good," Wilder told Boxing News.

"When you look at it, you have to look at the landscape of right now, and you’ve got some interesting guys like the Saudis that are in there, changing everything about boxing. The way we promote it, the way we line up fights, and all those different things. Why not have the change of being able to work with each other?

"We don’t have to like each other to do business, but sometimes when you’ve been around a person long enough, you understand their ways and they understand your ways and you can co-exist with each other. That’s what it’s all about. I’m glad that we are at this point in time where we can co-exist with each other, because I’m always a promoter’s dream.

"I think I’m a dream come true for Eddie. I’m happy to be a part of Matchroom and [be] the captain. Business is always going to be business, you just have to know how to handle business accordingly. There is no ill will from both sides, we are just firm in what we believe and what we say."

Wilder hasn't won a fight in over 18-months but is hoping a KO win against Zhang can revive his long-awaited fight against Joshua, who is linked to a return at Wembley in September. 'AJ' was promised a shot at the undisputed belts after beating Francis Ngannou last month, but Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk are currently locked into a two-fight deal on both sides.