Deontay Wilder has reportedly signed his side of the deal for a shock comeback fight with Curtis Harper.
It was reported earlier this week that Harper, a journeyman with an 18-11 record, had agreed to box Wilder.
He was said to be one of several options being explored, although it now appears he is the frontrunner.
A boxing official familiar with the situation informed Boxing Scene that both Wilder and Harper have submitted signed contracts to fight in a bout which is being targeted for April 26 in Atlanta.
American streaming service BLK Prime will broadcast the heavyweight clash as Wilder vies to rebuild his career following a poor run of form.
The Tuscaloosa puncher has looked like a shadow of his former self since his trilogy with Tyson Fury and has lost four out of his last five fights.
Following a routine first-round knockout win over Robert Helenius in October 2022, Wilder stepped up his level of opposition in two Riyadh Season cards.
He was battered from pillar to post in a points loss to Joseph Parker in December 2023 before the former WBC heavyweight champion was knocked out by Zhilei Zhang in June.
By contrast, Jacksonville’s Harper is riding a four-fight win streak.
However, every single victory comes against a fellow journeyman with a losing record.
His last meaningful fight took place in December 2023 when he was dispatched in the eighth round by Olympic silver medallist Richard Torrez Jr.
Other notable names he has boxed and subsequently lost to include Efe Ajagba, Zhang, Chris Arreola, and Bakhodir Jalolov.
His defeat to Ajagba is the one that will stick out in most boxing fan’s minds.
Harper was disqualified from the bout after walking out of the ring when the opening bell sounded.
He later confirmed that he did so over a pay dispute.
Explaining the situation his promoter Rick Glaser elaborated: “What happened here was, on August 12, Curtis was given a contract to fight Ajagba for $6,000.
“He specifically asked the person who gave him the contract whether the fight would be on TV and was told no.
“He signed the contract on August 13 and sent it back that day. After that, he was treated like garbage.
PBCHarper was disqualified for jumping out of the ring against Ajagba[/caption]
“He and his wife didn’t get their plane tickets until Aug. 22 [the day of their flight].
“They flew into Minneapolis and waited at the airport for an hour and 45 minutes before they were picked up.
“Then, at the weigh-in on Thursday, Curtis learned that contrary to what he’d been told before, his fight was going to be on TV.
“And he still hadn’t been given a countersigned contract. So he wanted more money.”
