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By Chris Williams:  Deontay Wilder’s comments on Tuesday in dismissing Anthony Joshua as no longer being in ‘the picture” for a fight has got his promoter Eddie Hearn FURIOUS, and now rooting like mad for Tyson Fury to win on February 22.

Hearn believes that Joshua’s only chance for a unification fight is if Fury (29-0-1, 20 KOs) defeats WBC heavyweight champion Wilder (42-0-1, 41 KOs) in their rematch.  Wilder sees Joshua, 29, as being out of “the picture” now that he’s been properly exposed by Ruiz Jr. (33-2, 22 KOs).

Wilder says he sees Joshua as “COWARD,” who lost to Andy Ruiz Jr., and just squeaked by in the rematch to recapture his lost IBF, WBA and WBO titles last December.

Wilder: Joshua is a COWARD, and out of the picture

“I’m not worried about that coward,” said Wilder about Joshua during Tuesday’s conference call with the media. “That coward [Joshua] barely won his titles back, let alone stepping into the ring with the KING,” said Wilder on AJ winning an ugly 12 round decision in his rematch with Andy Ruiz Jr. last December. “He’s been out of the picture, and ain’t nobody talking about him no more.  So there ain’t no need to bring him up,” Wilder said about Joshua.

It’s easy to see where Wilder is coming from in voicing his opinions on Joshua (23-1, 21 KOs). The Alabama native tried for years to make a fight with Joshua, but he felt that he Hearn presented roadblock after roadblock to prevent that fight from happening.

Ultimately, Wilder blames Joshua for him not taking charge to make the unification fight between them. As such, Wilder now views Joshua as no longer being in the “picture” for him, and he also sees him as “COWARD.”

Hearn says Wilder “REFUSED” Joshua fight

“Not being funny, but how the f— can you say that?” said Hearn to IFL TV about Wilder saying that ‘Joshua isn’t even in the picture anymore.’ “This is a guy [Wilder] that has basically for years and years REFUSED to fight Anthony Joshua, and he’s doing it again. That’s why Tyson has got to get the win, because we can make that happen.

“Tyson Fury will fight Anthony Joshua, no problem,” said Hearn. “It’s a quick conversation between me, Bob Arum and MTK, and it gets done instantly,” said Hearn.

Eddie sounds really worked up, doesn’t he? It’s to the point where Hearn is actively cheering for Fury, and hoping like crazy that he wins the fight against Deontay on February 22. Hearn seems to think it’s going to be a cinch to put a fight together between Joshua and Fury, but he might be mistaken.

Fury isn’t going to lay down and let Hearn scratch his belly when it comes to the negotiations with Joshua. He’s going to want the same kind of deal that Wilder will, which could prevent the fight from happening.

Look at it this way. If Fury beats Wilder, he deserves to be the A-side against Joshua, because he’ll have just knocked off the #1 heavyweight in the division.

Fans remember Hearn offering Wilder a flat fee for him to fight Joshua, but the negotiations were never going to go anywhere with Eddie trying that gambit to make a fight.

Hearn: Deontay will “probably” beat Fury 

“Wilder is on another planet, but unfortunately, I think Wilder is probably going to win the fight,” Hearn said. “So, we’ll see. Of Course, I want Tyson to win the fight, because he’s a Brit, and more importantly, it’s a much easier chance to make that big fight [between Joshua and Fury]. I believe he [Fury] will fight, and will take the chance against Joshua.

“For Wilder to tee it up. If Wilder wins this fight, he’ll be under so much pressure to fight Joshua, but there’s nothing we can do,” said Hearn. “People can see by those comments what we’re up against. So, to say that he’s [Joshua] not in the picture is just crazy. It’s weird,” said Hearn.

Wilder is the favorite to defeat Fury in the rematch. The odds-makers usually have it right when they pick a favorite, and obviously they’re taking in the fact that Wilder does better in rematches.

Fury’s approach to the rematch is scattered. He’s dumped his trainer, packed on a lot of useless weight, and is talking about wanting to knockout Wilder in the 2nd round. Fury sounds confused and lost at this point, and that’s not the way he needs to be or him to have a chance of beating Deontay.

What Fury went through last time he fought Wilder in getting knocked cold in the 12th, it left an indelible impression on him. He’s now reacting as if he’s flustered, and falling apart in the final weeks before the fight.