Anthony Joshua has recently weighed in a potential clash with Deontay Wilder, and believes there is a distinct possibility fans could see the fight next year.
In fact, Joshua told GQ magazine that why he’s confident the fight simply ‘has to happen’.
“Let’s look to the future. It will definitely happen.
We’re in the same division, we’re in the same era, that means the fight has to happen. 2023 is looming, it’s a big year for boxing, and that fight will definitely happen.”
Joshua and Wilder were in talks for a mammoth fight back in 2018 when the pair held all four world heavyweight titles between them.
However, the would-be undisputed fight never materialised after things turned publicly sour between Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn and Wilder’s representative Shelly Finkel and fans were fearful too much damage had been done for the two to ever share a ring.
Things between the camps seem to be much more amicable these days, though, with Hearn saying in multiple recent interviews he is confident terms can be agreed for a 2023 fight.
The rumour mill went into overdrive recently when Finkel was spotted in London last month, prompting fans to speculate that advanced negotiations were taking place.
Joshua will look to have at least one fight before stepping in with a fighter as dangerous as Wilder, with the likes of Otto Wallin, Dillian Whyte and Zhilei Zhang all reportedly in the running to be ‘AJ’s comeback opponent.
The former unified world champion is currently a fighter without a trainer, with an announcement regarding his new coaching set up expected in the next few weeks.