Report: Joshua, Wilder agree to March 9 bout in Saudi Arabia

Former heavyweight champions Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder have reached a deal for a fight on March 9 in Saudi Arabia, sources told ESPN's Mike Coppinger.

Both Joshua and Wilder are scheduled to compete at a Dec. 23 pay-per-view event in Riyadh. They reportedly must win and remain uninjured next weekend for the fight to be finalized.

Joshua's promoter, Eddie Hearn, told Coppinger on Thursday that contracts have not been signed. Wilder's manager, Shelly Finkel, told boxing journalist Dan Rafael that "at this point, there is no deal."

"Talks continue," Hearn said, per Coppinger. "But everybody wants to make that fight."

Joshua (26-3, 23 KOs) will take on Otto Wallin later this month. The 34-year-old's last bout came in August when he defeated Robert Helenius via seventh-round knockout.

Wilder (43-2-1, 42 KOs) is set to square off with Joseph Parker. The 38-year-old has been idle since October 2022 when he defeated Helenius via knockout.

The fight against Wallin will cap off a busy 2023 for Joshua. The former WBA, IBF, and WBO heavyweight champion also picked up a unanimous decision victory over Jermaine Franklin in April.