Sumio Yamada

American heavyweight Eric Molina is on the verge of completing a deal to challenge Anthony Joshua for the IBF title on December 10 in Manchester.

‘The Drummer Boy’ has been in talks with Joshua’s handlers at Matchroom Boxing since Wladimir Klitschko pulled out of the race through injury and Molina seems confident an agreement between the pair is imminent.

Molina had told WBN earlier this week that contact was made and talks were underway, although things have moved on since then and could be over the line by Thursday morning (afternoon UK time).

“The fight between me and Anthony Joshua will be made today in USA time,” Molina exclusively told World Boxing News.

“Due the time difference, for now it is night time but when we start our day I am sure we can finish this deal.

“We are fairly close to reaching a deal and signing off on it so it’s definitely exciting times for us.”

The 34 year-old has two wins under his belt since losing a WBC challenge to Deontay Wilder in 2015, one of which was an impressive knockout of Tomas Adamek in Poland last April.

Facing Joshua will certainly be a much sterner test for Molina, who seems to have beaten off David Price and countryman Bryant Jennings to the headlining spot in England at the end of this year.

A host of Eddie Hearn’s top fighters are set to feature on the undercard.