Deontay Wilder has been speaking about a potential fight against Anthony Joshua and admitted it won’t be an easy night’s work.
Wilder and Joshua have been linked for years and, at one stage, it looked likely the two would meet for the undisputed heavyweight championship. Since then things have moved on in the heavyweight division, with both men losing their titles but not their star appeal.
A fight between the former champions is still undoubtedly one of the biggest in boxing and now looks like it might happen at the end of the year.
Saudi Arabia have ambitious plans to stage the biggest night in boxing history – a four-man tournament which would see Wilder and AJ fight on the same night as Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk.
Eddie Hearn has added credibility to he speculation, admitting conversations have been had with the Middle East representatives and that he was flying out next week to try and secure a deal. It may not include the champions in Fury and Usyk, but his man against Wilder seems further along.
Joshua himself has gone one step further, saying the fight was ‘95%’ done and ‘The Bronze Bomber’ has now said the ‘dream’ fight is close.
“We got a lot of different options [for fights] at this moment in time. Joshua, everybody, I think a lot of people is going to get that dream fight everyone wants to see.”
The Alabama man has always been confident that he would get Joshua out of there early, recently predicting a stoppage inside three rounds and vowing to deliver the Saudi’s their first knockout. However, when speaking to iFL TV after the Gervonta Davis-Ryan Garcia fight, the 37 year-old was more cautious with his prediction.
“Nobody is an easy night, nobody is easy because on the night of the fight you just never know what they might have in them that night.”
Wilder then sent a final respectful message to his heavyweight rival.
“Stay training, stay focused and I wish you nothing but the best.”
Fans will be hoping at least one of the fights touted for December will come to fruition and, although Fury and Usyk hold the belts, it’s hard to argue against Wilder vs Joshua being the more explosive and exciting clash.