Former unified heavyweight world champion Anthony Joshua (25-3, 22 KOs) has seemingly confirmed that he will face Deontay Wilder (43-2-1, 42 KOs)in Saudi Arabia in December. However, this has not been confirmed by Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn, who was recently in Saudi Arabia to discuss the possibility of a double heavyweight showdown featuring Joshua & Wilder alongside an undisputed heavyweight title match-up between Oleksandr Usyk (WBA, WBO & IBF) and Tyson Fury (WBC).
Last weekend speaking to ProBox TV, Hearn confirmed that a proposed event in Saudi Arabia featured many observer’s current top-four heavyweights, with an undisputed heavyweight match-up between Usyk and Fury being the star attraction alongside Joshua & Wilder.
“Saudi (Arabia) want the undisputed fight, and they want Joshua against Wilder.” Hearn said. “I can’t speak on behalf of Fury, but what I do know is that we want to fight Fury or Wilder subject to the deal. Which has never been a problem for them before, and it wouldn’t be now [either] but we do need to go through that process.
“At the moment, it has only been a few conversations. Now I’m flying over next week and we shall see the real substance of it. A lot of that will hinge on the fight in July, we want Joshua to fight in July. But we will see how the negotiations go next week.”
Speculation was intensified before Hearn & Joshua’s comments earlier this month. Wilder stated that it would be a “dream fight” for him to face Joshua, further strengthened by his long-time manager’s comments. Shelly Finkel, one of the most established managers within the sport, stated, “Deontay has wanted to fight Joshua for a long time and of course, is willing to fight him in Saudi Arabia.”
Joshua, who recently marked his return to the ring with a unanimous points win against Jermaine Franklin following back-to-back defeats to Oleksandr Usyk in 2021-2022, responded to questioning the possibility of the fight happening. Joshua was asked when he would face Wilder, to which Joshua responded “That’s what’s happening, and you know what’s going on.”
Joshua was pushed to answer if the fight would occur in December. Joshua replied: “It’s public news we’re getting it down, throwing it down in December.”
JOSHUA VS WILDER IN DECEMBER?!
— ProBox TV (@ProBox_TV) April 28, 2023
Who wins? Let us know ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/F1hbpiwtEa