"Today the WBA requested an answer from Anthony Joshua's team regarding his fight with the mandatory challenger Alexander Povetkin," said WBA president Gilberto Mendoza in a statement.
"The WBA have allowed over a month extension to negotiations with Povetkin and also ongoing discussions with Deontay Wilder.
"It appears the Wilder team have not returned the contract for the fight and therefore we are requesting a date for the Joshua versus Povetkin fight with immediate effect."
Joshua's promoter Eddie Hearn said his fighter was "frustrated" over the time it was taking to reach an agreement with Wilder's team, Wilder has had the contract for 9 days now.
"We can't do a lot more than we are doing," he told Sky Sports.
"Anthony is frustrated. We sent the contract nine days ago. Nothing makes sense here at all. They know we're under pressure from the WBA. It feels like a big game.
"He wants to fight Wilder but at the same time we are not going to lose a belt to the WBA.
"Right now it looks like Povetkin is next but anything can happen in this sport."
tells ��— Matchroom Boxing (@MatchroomBoxing)
Meanwhile Deontay Wilder has came out on social media and said he will not sign contract..
In an Instagram rant, Wilder said: "Never sign anything that’s not as agreed, it’s not right! I apologise to all you guys.
"I know this has been extremely ridiculous and it’s sad a grown a** man is playing with fans' emotions and thinking this s*** is funny.
"Their plans aren’t to see the best face the best but to only see how much revenue they can bring in while they can and these are the facts.
"The sooner these guys are out of the sport the better, but don’t worry they will have their Day. [I] Promise.
"The WBA have allowed over a month extension to negotiations with Povetkin and also ongoing discussions with Deontay Wilder.
"It appears the Wilder team have not returned the contract for the fight and therefore we are requesting a date for the Joshua versus Povetkin fight with immediate effect."
Joshua's promoter Eddie Hearn said his fighter was "frustrated" over the time it was taking to reach an agreement with Wilder's team, Wilder has had the contract for 9 days now.
"We can't do a lot more than we are doing," he told Sky Sports.
"Anthony is frustrated. We sent the contract nine days ago. Nothing makes sense here at all. They know we're under pressure from the WBA. It feels like a big game.
"He wants to fight Wilder but at the same time we are not going to lose a belt to the WBA.
"Right now it looks like Povetkin is next but anything can happen in this sport."
tells ��— Matchroom Boxing (@MatchroomBoxing)
Meanwhile Deontay Wilder has came out on social media and said he will not sign contract..
In an Instagram rant, Wilder said: "Never sign anything that’s not as agreed, it’s not right! I apologise to all you guys.
"I know this has been extremely ridiculous and it’s sad a grown a** man is playing with fans' emotions and thinking this s*** is funny.
"Their plans aren’t to see the best face the best but to only see how much revenue they can bring in while they can and these are the facts.
"The sooner these guys are out of the sport the better, but don’t worry they will have their Day. [I] Promise.
Comment