Anthony Joshua is set to face long-time rival Deontay Wilder in a potential blockbuster showdown if Tyson Fury’s retirement holds. Joshua, who had been awaiting a much-anticipated “Battle of Britain” against Fury, could now settle his score with Wilder should the Gypsy King remain out of the ring.
Tyson Fury’s retirement announcement this week came after his second straight defeat to Oleksandr Usyk in December 2023. This news dashed hopes for a domestic clash between Fury and Joshua, a fight that had been in the works for years. However, Saudi boxing magnate Turki Alalshikh has now thrown his weight behind a possible showdown between Joshua and Wilder.
Speaking to talkSPORT, Alalshikh expressed interest in the fight, suggesting that if Fury is not available, the British market would benefit from the long-awaited contest between Joshua and Wilder. “If Tyson is not available, why not Joshua and Wilder?” Alalshikh said, adding fuel to the fire for a potential heavyweight spectacle.
The two fighters, who are now 35 and 39, respectively, were poised to meet in 2018, when both were heavyweight champions. However, the fight fell through when Wilder opted for a rivalry with Fury, setting the stage for their now-famous trilogy. A massive £100 million two-fight series seemed inevitable in December 2023, but Wilder’s loss to Joseph Parker ended those hopes.
Now, Wilder’s career is hanging in the balance, with a crucial April fight against journeyman Curtis Harper on the horizon. If he comes through that contest, promoter Eddie Hearn has revealed that Wilder could be a viable opponent for Joshua, who is eager for his next big challenge.
Despite the rise of other potential opponents like Dillian Whyte, Hearn emphasized that Wilder remains a tantalizing option for the former unified heavyweight champion. “Deontay Wilder is a fight I think people would still love to see,” Hearn said, noting the public interest in the bout if Wilder comes out victorious in his next match.
While Wilder and Joshua could clash, Hearn believes that Fury will ultimately return to the ring for a showdown with Joshua. “I can’t see Mr. Fury leaving this fight on the table,” Hearn concluded, leaving fans eagerly awaiting any developments in the heavyweight division.
As the heavyweight scene continues to shift, Joshua vs. Wilder remains one of the most anticipated fights in boxing, and with Fury’s future uncertain, it may soon become a reality.
