Eddie Hearn: 'Anthony Joshua to begin Deontay Wilder talks'

[Mofo2]

Promoter Eddie Hearn has revealed that talks over a couple of high-profile bouts for Anthony Joshua in 2018 will begin later this week.

The undefeated Briton recently laid out his plans to dominate the heavyweight scene by adding the WBC and WBO belts to his IBF and WBA titles.

Both Deontay Wilder and Joseph Parker are open to fighting Joshua at some point next year, with the former - also unbeaten after 39 fights - the top priority at this point after making light work of Bermane Stiverne in New York on Saturday with a first-round knockout.

"I'm sitting down with [Wilder's representatives] Shelly Finkel and Al Haymon later this week to have our first conversations regarding Joshua vs Wilder," Hearn told Sky Sports News. "Like all these big fights it's never easy but hopefully we can find somewhere between reality and fantasy that suits all.

"I had a good meeting with AJ [on Tuesday] - it's his goal to try and become undisputed heavyweight champion of the world by the close of 2018 so, at present, to do that we must go through Parker and Wilder."

Wilder believes that his potential showdown with Joshua will be the 'biggest ever', with Wembley Stadium or Twickenham the likely choice of venue.