As an Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder bout finally moves closer to being set, Tyson Fury’s veteran US promoter, Bob Arum, has weighed in with a definitive pick.
The two heavyweights could have once fought for the undisputed championship, however following failed talks both lost their titles. Despite that, the intrigue remains.
So much so that the Middle East are willing to pay mega money for the fight to happen on their soil, and are deep in talks with each team to make it happen for December.
Arum spoke to Boxing Social ahead of the proposed bout, and he’s backing the American to win by stoppage. In fact, he’s certain of it.
“The only question in a Deontay Wilder-Anthony Joshua fight is, in my opinion, what round Wilder knocks Joshua out.
But, believe me, he will knock Joshua out.”
Wilder has dispatched of every man he’s ever faced inside the distance bar Fury. A unanimous decision win over Bermaine Stiverne was revisited two years later and turned into a knockout.
He boasts 42 early finishes, a record that has allowed many in the sport to brand him the hardest puncher in history.
Of course, Joshua’s power isn’t to be underestimated. His stoppage ratio of around 80% is exactly the reason why fans have been clamouring for this transatlantic tear-up for years now.
Despite no official announcement, promoter Eddie Hearn has confirmed that the December date in Saudi Arabia is still the plan.
If everything goes as the Saudis want it to, an undisputed clash between Oleksandr Usyk and Fury will happen on the same night.
Each man mentioned is looking for a fight in between now and then, but neither Joshua nor Wilder have opponents set in stone.