By Jordan Seward For Mailonline
Published: 20:01 GMT, 19 March 2019 | Updated: 20:10 GMT, 19 March 2019
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Deontay Wilder's decision to rebuff the $100million TV deal from DAZN is the latest ploy to circumvent a potential clash with Anthony Joshua, according to Barry Hearn.
The WBC champion confirmed on Tuesday he has turned down the lucrative offer – which included two unification fights against Joshua – tendered by the DAZN digital streaming channel in favour of remaining faithful with American television company Showtime who have ushered his 41-fight career thus far.
The move from Wilder, who is pencilled in to defend his world title against mandatory challenger Dominic Breazeale in New York's Barclays Center on May 18, subsequently squashes any prospect of him facing Joshua this year while a rematch against Tyson Fury also looks unlikely at this stage.
Deontay Wilder's rejected $100m DAZN offer - which included two fights with Anthony Joshua
Head of Matchroom Sport, Hearn, insisted Wilder has no serious intentions to face unified champion Joshua, saying on Tuesday: 'Wilder rejecting this deal shows what he is thinking. Luckily the boxing fans today are smart enough to see that he doesn’t want to get in the ring with Anthony Joshua.
'Nobody does and that's the problem. He can say anything he wants but it's obvious to everyone now that this is not coming from our side. Wilder has signed up with Showtime and that makes this fight so much harder to make.
'We made this offer to try and make it easier but there you go. It's a shame because Eddie [Hearn] has been pushing so hard to make the Wilder-Joshua fight but it just isn't there.
The WBC champion has re-signed with Showtime and will face Dominic Breazeale next
Wilder's decision to stay with Showtime makes a fight against Joshua much harder to make
'Wilder has been offered $100m but he thinks he can earn
