Deontay Wilder has made a $50million offer to Anthony Joshua to arrange a much-anticipated world heavyweight unification title showdown.
The American has given Joshua 24 hours to sign the $50m (£35.9m) contract, labelled “a wonderful PR move” by his promoter Eddie Hearn.
Joshua wasted little time in responding to his rival on Twitter, saying: “Let’s roll”.
Both fighters hold all four major world titles between them and speculation of a bout has intensified since Joshua defeated Joseph Parker last month to unify the WBA, IBF and WBO titles.
WBC champion Deontay Wilder was offered a flat fee of $12.5million by Hearn recently but the American’s handlers have made a counter proposal.
Wilder hinted he was ready to give in to Joshua’s demands when he said in a video posted on his social media channels: “I got something special for you. And by the way, all the money’s in the bag so I expect you to be a man of your word.”
The video then cuts to a previous interview with Joshua, who said: “I’ll take 50million up front. If that’s the case, Wilder’s team bring me 50million up front and we’ll take the fight.”
Wilder then added: “I’ll see you soon then.”
