Deontay Wilder Challenges Anthony Joshua
Deontay Wilder has issued a challenge to his longtime opponent Anthony Joshua, urging him to finally step into the ring after years of stalled negotiations and missed opportunities. Although the highly-anticipated showdown has lost some of its original allure, Wilder, who once held the WBC heavyweight title, is still keen on realizing this bout with Joshua, who has managed to evade him throughout his championship tenure.
A Missed Opportunity in 2018
The ambiance for a fight between the two was ripe back in 2018, especially following Joshua’s decisive victory over Joseph Parker, which left him with three belts: the WBA, IBF, and WBO. Meanwhile, Wilder reigned undefeated, generating excitement among fans and analysts alike. At that time, Wilder openly accepted a staggering $50 million offer from Showtime, signaling the potential for serious discussions about a matchup. However, negotiations faced continual roadblocks, as Wilder’s co-manager, Shelly Finkel, reported unrealistic demands from Joshua’s camp, led by promoter Eddie Hearn.
Months of back-and-forth ultimately led to Joshua opting to fight Alexander Povetkin shortly after the World Boxing Association declared Povetkin his mandatory challenger. Despite the WBA’s willingness to grant Joshua a brief postponement to allow the Wilder fight to materialize, Joshua chose to move forward with Povetkin instead, leaving Wilder high and dry.
Recent Developments
Fast forward to December 2023, and Wilder’s hope for a renewed showdown faltered once more during the Day of Reckoning event in Riyadh. Although both fighters were set to appear on the same card, the outcomes were disappointing: Wilder faced defeat against Joshua’s former opponent Parker, while Joshua himself was sidetracked by a bout against MMA star Francis Ngannou.
Many observers feel the prime opportunity for this clash was in 2018 when both fighters were at their best. However, Joshua’s unforeseen loss to Andy Ruiz Jr. and Wilder’s fall to Tyson Fury in 2020 changed the narrative around their potential by stripping them of their respective invincibility status.
A Slim Chance for the Future
Now, with Wilder preparing for a comeback against Tyrrell Herndon, there is a slim chance that the fight might take place in 2025. If it does occur, it may be more of a financial venture than a true sporting contest, as both fighters have seen better days. In a lighthearted moment, Wilder even entertained fans by performing a rendition of Marvin Gaye’s ‘Let’s Get It On’ while addressing Joshua.
