Anthony Joshua has been linked to a showdown with Deontay Wilder for almost a decade now, but it seems that the long-perceived ‘biggest fight in boxing’ will be the latest addition to the ‘what-if’s’ of boxing history, after Wilder’s fourth defeat in five outings all but ended interest in the clash.
Joshua and Wilder were originally linked to an encounter whilst they were both undefeated world champions, expected to collide in a first four-belt undisputed heavyweight title affair. Yet, boxing politics got in the way and robbed fans of an awe-inspiring battle that would have been the most eagerly anticipated heavyweight fight of the century.
Just six months ago, hope was reignited as Joshua and Wilder fought on the same bill in Saudi Arabia, where a win for both men would finally tee up the illusive event, although Deontay Wilder was embarrassed and whitewashed by Joseph Parker for a first career defeat aside from the famous trilogy with Tyson Fury.
Hoping to bounce back and regain interest, Deontay Wilder faced Zhilei Zhang but came up short and was knocked out in the fifth-round, in what is likely his final appearance in the professional ring.
On the DAZN broadcast, Anthony Joshua revealed his experience of the fight night, at which he was sat at ringside to see his potential heavyweight opponents in the flesh.
“It puts things into perspective when you watch from the outside. I just have this view of what’s in front of me, but I had a view of the ring walks, everything behind the scenes, and it makes me realise that what I’m doing isn’t enough. It’s not about winning, it’s about dominating.
“I need to assess what I’m doing because, in the ring, everything comes out – what you’ve been doing, where you’ve been living, where your mind has been at. And I really want to dominate where I’ve been at.”
Meanwhile, ‘AJ’ had some encouraging words for ‘The Bronze Bomber’, telling Wilder that this doesn’t have to be the end of his career, but reminding the former WBC champion that his health should come first.
“Come again if you want, but he [Wilder] has got his family and there’s a life outside of boxing for him. I enjoy fighting in London, I enjoy fighting out here [Saudi Arabia], I enjoy fighting in America. It’s a blessing, and it don’t last forever. That’s why I say it with Wilder, if he wants to go again, give it another.”
It now appears as though Joshua will take on Daniel Dubois on September 21st at Wembley Stadium, following on from his fellow Brits’ triumph over Filip Hrgovic, with an excited Joshua clearly excited to return to action.
“I’ve got to pick them off one by one. It’s not going to be easy, but that’s my mentality. So come one, come all. Wembley, O2, York Hall – wherever they put me, I’m happy to fight. Any venue, I’ll turn up and do my job.”
Zhang and Dubois’ wins were the conclusive endings that Frank Warren will have dreamt of in the build-up, as Queensberry scored a one-sided 10-0 victory over Matchroom on the one-of-a-kind bill.
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