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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Sam Elliott

Deontay Wilder explains why he turned down £100million to fight Anthony Joshua

Deontay Wilder has explained why he turned down £100million to fight Anthony Joshua - and doesn't regret his decision.

A mega money three-fight deal from Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn was on the table.

But Wilder said no and the American insists it's not just about the money.

“I am not in the business of just trying to take some money because you see a number,” Wilder told the Daily Mail .

“That's not me. That's never been me. I look at the bigger picture. You sell me a number and I know there's going to be a bigger number than that.

Deontay Wilder has spoken about contract talks (Getty Images)

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“They saw a guy they thought they could throw some money at and that would be it but they found out the hard way.

“We came in serious and we were looking for serious answers and we didn't get them and for that reason we had to leave until a further time.”

Wilder also spoke about a possible bout with Tyson Fury .

“It won't be difficult for me to make those fights with Fury and Joshua,” he added.

The wait for Anthony Joshua goes on (PA)

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“I’m betting on myself. I move as I please. Those guys, they have to do as they are told. I make commands and demands. They take them. That's the difference between me and them.

“I’m like the wild card in all this. I move where I want. I can move freely.

“Soon I will be the highest paid athlete in the world. If no one believes it, just watch. You'll see."

Joshua admitted last week that both he and Wilder made mistakes in the negotiation process over their heavyweight bout.

Wilder stopped short of saying the fight won't ever happen (Amanda Westcott/SHOWTIME)

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"No one ducks anyone in this business, but everyone makes their moves to benefit themselves," Joshua told DAZN.

"In terms of the negotiations, they just didn't align at the time and I realise that I've said a lot of things to blame him and he's said a lot of things to blame me.

"It's coming to a stage where only the fans are missing out."

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