Joshua promoter posits Wilder is overrated

Joshua promoter posits Wilder is overrated

Popular promoter Eddie Hearn, promoter for former two-time heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua, believes Deontay Wilder has been overrated for several years by fans and observers.

There are ongoing discussions to finalize a deal for Joshua vs. Wilder.

If a deal is reached, the contest would take place on a January date in Saudi Arabia.

Joshua was back in the ring last Saturday night in London, where he picked up a brutal seventh-round knockout of late-replacement Robert Helenius.

Back in October of 2022, Wilder blew away Helenius in a single round at Barclays Center in Brooklyn.

Some observers believe Joshua is simply not ready for a fight with someone like Wilder - but Hearn disagrees.

He feels Wilder, mostly due to his dangerous punching power, has been overhyped.

"I cannot believe how highly people rate Deontay Wilder. He's never beaten a top-five heavyweight. Luis Ortiz is his best win - he was getting smashed in the first fight, and

he was 7-0 down in the second fight. He's never beaten an elite heavyweight," Hearn told Boxing Social.

Hearn feels very confident in Joshua's ability to nullify the dangerous punching power of Wilder.

Joshua is now trained by veteran coach Derrick James, who is best known for his work with Errol Spence, Jermell Charlo, and Frank Martin.

"I think that he can beat Deontay Wilder comfortably, but he could also get beat by Deontay Wilder. I don't think necessarily, I mean, the good thing is he got - what was it - seven rounds in against a tall opponent who can punch a bit with the backhand?" Hearn said.

"I think it's difficult to replicate certainly the power of Deontay Wilder. But I've always felt that AJ can outbox Deontay Wilder."