Contrary to information issued to the media via WBC president, Mauricio Sulaiman last Saturday, it appears as though a deal has not been reached for the mandated WBC heavyweight title bout between champ Bermane Stiverne and top contender Deontay Wilder.
Stiverne promoter, Don King, told Boxingscene on Sunday that no deal had been reached yet and that it looks likely that the bout will go up for purse bid.
On the other side, Wilder promoter, Oscar De la Hoya, reportedly confirmed King’s statement to ESPN’s Dan Rafael.
The deadline for reaching an agreement is October 1. If there is no agreement at that point, the right to promote the contest will go to the highest bidder in a blind purse bid.
There is some thought in the industry that Wilder, under the guidance of advisor Al Haymon, may remove himself altogether from the bout in order to pursue a more favorable, in-house match-up down the line.
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