Eddie Hearn reveals the final hurdle that must be cleared before Anthony Joshua and Deontay wilder can be officially announced

EDDIE HEARN has revealed what could potentially scupper a blockbuster bust-up between Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder.

The duo are on course for a multi-million-pound Saudi showdown in December, although negotiations are very much at an early stage.

Both men have gone public with their desire to settle their five-year-long feud, which began when they held all the hardware at heavyweight.

But Hearn admits the fight hinges on hashing out a broadcasting deal which respects Joshua‘s contract with DAZN.

The Matchroom Boxing chief told iFL TV: “Subject to a formal contract being sent, we’re very confident that fight gets made.

“I can’t speak on behalf of Deontay Wilder, but I’m very confident he’ll be accepting the money and the deal that comes through from Saudi Arabia.

“For us, it’s making sure that all of our contracts are respected. That probably means a multi-platform deal around that night.

“We can’t breach our agreements, but I don’t think that it will be an issue.”

The oil-rich Saudis have tabled an informal offer to Hearn for the fight but have yet to send over anything official.

The 44-year-old said: “We have an offer without a contract. So we need to wait on that contract.”

Joshua, 33, is set to warm up for his long-awaited grudge match with Wilder with a rematch with Brit rival Dillian Whyte.

The pair’s rematch is in the pipeline for August 12, although a deal has not yet been finalised.

And Wilder admits he’ll be “nervous” watching Joshua put their multi-million-pound grudge match on the line against the Brixton Body Snatcher.

A rematch with the Brixton Body Snatcher is in the works for August 12, although the fight has not yet been made official.

The Bronze Bomber asked SunSport last week: “Are you nervous?

“Everybody’s nervous, we all are.

“I will be, I’ve said before I’m a straightforward, honest guy anyone that knows me knows that.

“But I am nervous, if he takes a fight. We’ll keep it like that.”