Though plans for Anthony Joshua to lock horns with Deontay Wilder seem to be once again on the back burner, it will always be a match up that is heavily discussed and debated amongst fans, fighters and media alike.
Max Kellerman, formally of ESPN, has broken down the fight, and has serious doubts whether Joshua still has what it takes to get the better of ‘The Bronze Bomber.’
In a recent interview with SecondsOut, Kellerman did say that he would pick the version of the Brit who dramatically stopped Wladimir Klitschko back in 2017, though admitted that he “hasn’t seen that guy in a while.”
“This is what we’ve been waiting to see for a long time. I have a feeling that the Anthony Joshua who beat Klitschko, who on that night was a great heavyweight, would have won.”
“But I haven’t seen that guy in a while, and it’s hard to imagine the guy I’ve seen recently getting through 12 rounds without getting caught by a Deontay Wilder right hand. And we know when Wilder hits you with a right hand, it’s good night.”
“Joshua at his best, was a great heavyweight. The question is, is it still in there somewhere?”
Promoter Eddie Hearn has claimed throughout 2023 that a deal was essentially done for ‘AJ’ and Wilder to do battle in Saudi Arabia, however it became apparent in the aftermath of Joshua’s win over Robert Helenius in August that those plans have collapsed.
The former unified world champion is expected to be back out in either December or early 2024, whilst Wilder looks further away from a return to the ring than ever.