Saudi promoter set to broker deal for Anthony Joshua, Deontay Wilder fight in Africa: ‘I want to see it’

Saudi adviser, Turki Alalshikh has claimed a potential heavyweight fight between Anthony Joshua and former champion, Deontay Wilder is on his radar next — potentially in a massive clash in Africa, particularly with British veteran, Tyson Fury confirming his fifth career retirement this week.

Joshua, a former two-time heavyweight world champion, was reportedly lined up to make his return to the ring in an all-British grudge fight with former WBC heavyweight titleholder, Fury as soon as this summer — before the Morecambe native confirmed his retirement from combat sport earlier this week.

“Hi everybody, I’m gonna make this short and sweet — I’d like to announce my retirement from boxing,” Tyson Fury told his Instagram followers. “It’s been a blast. I have loved every single minute of it and I’m going to end with this: Dick Turpin wore a mask! God bless everybody, see you on the other side.”

Anthony Joshua lined up to fight Deontay Wilder in Africa next

And with many speculating Fury’s most recent retirement comes as a negotiating ply in order to bring a better deal to the table for a fight with Watford puncher, Anthony Joshua — the above-mentioned, Alalshikh appears to have already changed direction, instead pursuing a fight between Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder next — in a massive trip to Africa.

“If you want something about the British markets, I want to see (Anthony) Joshua and (Deontay) Wilder now.” Turki Alalshikh stated to talkSPORT earlier this week. “We finished the deal with (Martin) Bakole against the Nigerian fighter. (Efe) Ajagba, or something like that. We finished that as they must do it, because this is mandatory for the IBF.”

“Then after that, we are open to seeing Joshua also against Bakole,” Alalshikh explained. “I want to see this fight right, I want to see it but you know where I want to see it. I want to see it in Africa… Why not Joshua and Wilder?”