Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder continue to tease a transatlantic tear-up, with the involvement of Saudi Arabia and its mega-money making it more likely than ever.
The two heavyweights could have once faced off for the undisputed title but losses on both sides – Wilder to Tyson Fury, Joshua to Oleksandr Usyk – see them currently competing without belts.
There’s still plenty of intrigue surrounding the match-up, particularly given Wilder’s year of inactivity and Anthony Joshua’s latest style of fighting that some label tentative.
Reports suggest that both men will fight on the same card this December in Riyadh, with wins against their respective opponents setting a clash up nicely.
Fans will not hold their breath for the fight given the history of the negotiations, but there’s no doubt it remains one of the most defining contests of this era of heavyweights, and a loss could spell retirement.
Speaking to ES News, former undisputed cruiserweight and heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield backed his countryman to get it done with ‘a big shot.’
“I think Wilder will get him. I think he’ll get him because of the big shot, and because of the style Joshua fights. He stands off and he’s open, and when you’re open that way [Wilder] will get the right hand on you.”
Wilder and knockouts go hand in hand. In fact, of his 43 wins only one has gone the distance. Joshua is no slouch in that department either with his own 80% knockout-to-win ratio.
Before the pair can prepare for the power of the other, they must cement their fights in December and walk away with victories. Joshua is reportedly facing Otto Wallin whilst Wilder could take on Fury’s training partner, Joseph Parker.