I am now of the opinion that Wilder deliberately priced himself out of the fight because he knew he would lose.

I think that AJ wanted to become undisputed and unified a number of the belts whilst Wilder made minor defences of his 1 title. Wilder knew the longer he waited the higher his purse would become for the undisputed.

AJ/Eddie would have paid almost anything for the fight but Wilder stalled and dithered.

Eventually Wilder took Fury, who he thought was an easier fight and the rest is history.