The WBC heavyweight champion is going to take a different route

Deontay Wilder insists he “loves” being a free agent, hence why the WBC champion is reportedly set to reject a $100m+ deal from American broadcaster DAZN.

The news comes as a blow to fans hoping for a guaranteed undisputed title bout with Anthony Joshua, as it’s claimed an agreement would have ensured that fight took place in 2019.

3 Deontay Wilder is the WBC heavyweight champion

Last week, fans were given what turned out to be false hope as it emerged Wilder would be meeting with the streaming service – who also broadcast AJ in America.

It was reported that the WBC heavyweight champion was offered upwards of $100million for three fights against Dominic Breazeale, Joshua and then AJ again in a rematch.

However it’s now understood his team will reject the offer and, when asked about this, the American explained why.

3 Anthony Joshua is the WBA, IBF and WBO heavyweight champion

“So many people try to dictate my career and tell me, ‘I should do this, I should do that, I shouldn’t do this, I shouldn’t do that’,” Wilder said.

“$12.5m is laughable now, $15m is laughable. All this stuff I was supposed to have done, I didn’t do none of that and now look at my career.

“I’m betting on myself and you can’t go wrong with yourself.

“I love being a free agent, I love being able to move about doing what I do and we’ll see what the future holds.”

3 Dominic Breazeale is the current WBC mandatory challenger

Wilder is set to announce his next fight – which will be against Breazeale regardless – on Tuesday.

Speculation suggests it will be broadcast on Showtime pay-per-view in America, as was his previous bout against Tyson Fury.