Deontay Wilder and Anthony Joshua are still in talks to face off in a battle of the former world champions come early 2024.
The Saudi Arabia orchestrated fight has been promised to be close for the best part of this year, and despite no official announcement, both teams are adamant that it’s still top of the list.
Wilder, 37, has been out of the ring since a spectacular first round knockout of Robert Helenius in October 2022. Prior to that, he was on the losing end of two Tyson Fury stoppages.
Joshua has been more active since losing his world titles to Oleksandr Usyk – a points win over Jermaine Franklin and a seventh round KO of Helenius both taking place this year.
Despite the lack of activity, Wilder’s trainer, Malik Scott, is as confident as ever that his man finishes ‘AJ’ early. He told Little Giant Boxing that he was preparing for violence.
“It’s a great fight. We all know who my pick is, and we mean them no good over there. I’m tryna stop what they doing over there, and that’s continuing to win fights.
My job is to make sure that Deontay is prepared, violent, focused and ready to put a hole in him. And that’s what he’s ready to do. I truly, truly believe that’s what’s gonna happen.”
‘The Bronze Bomber’ has 42 knockouts on his record and Scott says that Joshua’s movement – or lack of – has him nailed on to be number 43.
“He’s too big to get out the way of anything. Come on man, Robert Helenius was hitting you at will with the jab.”
Wilder is happy to move straight into the transatlantic clash, but it’s understood his team are still open to a fight beforehand. Joshua’s side have said that if the fight isn’t signed for early next year, he may fight in December.