Deontay Wilder passing up the chance for a trilogy fight with Tyson Fury would show horrific weakness, according to Anthony Joshua's promoter Eddie Hearn.

Following their controversial draw in Los Angeles in December 2018, Fury dismantled Wilder in seven rounds in Las Vegas on February 22 to become a two-time world heavyweight champion.

Since his defeat, 'The Bronze Bomber' has invoked his contractual right to a rematch, but could still step aside if given a financial incentive to allow Fury to fight Joshua beforehand.

However, Hearn, who is hoping Wilder will make way for an undisputed fight between the two Brits, feels it would be a detrimental move for the American's reputation.

Speaking to iFL TV, he said: "Of course it would be showing weakness. It would actually be embarrassing to be honest."

Last year, Joshua went straight into a rematch against Andy Ruiz Jr after being knocked out in seven rounds in New York, a decision which led to him reclaiming his three world heavyweight title belts in Saudi Arabia.

And Hearn believes if Joshua was in Wilder's position, he would not hesitate in going straight into a rematch with Fury.

"AJ said to me there is not an amount of money in the world you could have given him to not take the Ruiz rematch," he added.

"And if you step aside you are showing horrific weakness because you are giving someone an opportunity to take what you should feel is yours without you getting an opportunity to win it back.

"If you believe in yourself, if you back yourself, you should never step aside."