Should Anthony Joshua handle business in his rematch with Dillian Whyte on August 12, it has long been suggested that he will go on to fight American puncher Deontay Wilder – and Adrian Broner has given his prediction should that be the case.
Initially, the end of this year looked like a possible date for Joshua vs Wilder, which is as intriguing a match-up the heavyweight division can offer between two big-hitting former champions. Promoter Eddie Hearn recently told Boxing Social that the plans remained the same, but early 2024 was more likely.
First for Joshua is a rematch with Whyte almost eight years after their first paid encounter in December 2015. That ended with Whyte down and out for the count following a vicious uppercut.
More recently, both men have taken points wins over American Jermaine Franklin. Wilder’s only outing since a second back-to-back loss against Tyson Fury in October 2021 was a first-round blowout of Robert Helenius in October last year.
Speaking to Fight Hype, Broner is asked how he sees the fight going between Joshua and his former PBC stablemate Wilder if and when it happens. It’s more of a pick out of loyalty than skill.
“You know, I’m with the right hand [of Wilder.]
Even though me and Joshua got a real good relationship. I can’t go against one of my stablemates, you know. Me and Wilder we was brothers. And we still brothers. We were on the same team for so long, I can’t jump ship.”
For now, Wilder remains without an opponent after protracted talks with Andy Ruiz seem to have gone quiet. It’s unclear whether or not the former champion will make it into the ring this year.