The unbeaten WBA, IBF and WBO champion has taken a battering for failing to land an undisputed fight with American WBC boss Deontay Wilder
ANTHONY JOSHUA is New York-bound for his biggest ever pay day to boost his bank balance and reputation.
The unbeaten WBA, IBF and WBO champion has taken a battering for failing to land an undisputed fight with American WBC boss Deontay Wilder.
Tyson Fury and Dillian Whyte both priced themselves out of an April 13 Wembley showdown against the 29-year-old Olympic golden boy.
Brit fans are gutted AJ will instead head to the Big Apple to face Jarrell Miller in a US debut in June that could earn the superstar a career high of £25MILLION.
But promoter Eddie Hearn says it is the perfect time to boost Joshua’s earnings and profile to compete with Wilder and Fury after their incredible December 1 draw.
He said: “Fury and Wilder’s profile was the same size before their fight. Now their profiles have probably outgrown AJ’s out there.
“If we’re going to make him a big star in America, this is the perfect moment and the perfect timing.
“He’d prefer to still be fighting at Wembley but the revenue means that this is a no brainer for us.”
Hearn, who made three offers to Whyte up to £5m, admits his man is no longer the only major player in the heavyweight division.
The incredible Los Angeles battle between The Gypsy King and Bronze Bomber — and Whyte’s nine-fight win streak — have pegged back the Watford ace.
Hearn added: “I’m not sure it’s momentum lost.
“There was no one even close, now he’s still the standout No 1 but there’s people kicking at his heels. That’s the difference.
“There’s that element of the man on the street says ‘Joshua, don’t want to fight Fury or Wilder’ but for us it’s not about one fight. This is about his legacy.”
Hearn will keep a close eye on the Wilder versus Fury rematch — pencilled in for May 18.
He said: “I pray Fury doesn’t commit to another rematch. If he does, he’s mad because it will kill the Joshua fight, should he win.”
