Despite a recent stumble in talks, Anthony Joshua versus Deontay Wilder remains one of the most intriguing heavyweight bouts boxing has to offer.
The two former champions are belt-less after losses to Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk, and a match-up would likely see the loser’s career at the very top level over and done with.
Both sides want it to happen, and things looked positive with an offer from Saudi Arabia’s Skill Challenge Entertainment. That has been taken off the table now, though, and it seems negotiations are back to square one.
Still, there’s a chance it happens in 2024, especially with the undisputed bout ruling out a fight with the champions for now. Usyk landed his part in that four-belt clash against Fury by beating Joshua for the unified titles and then retaining them in a rematch one year later.
There are few fighters better equipped to predict how he does in with Wilder then. Unfortunately for his former foe, the Ukrainian said on his YouTube channel that he gives the edge to the American knockout artist.
“It would’ve been a phenomenal match. Wilder’s unique if he clips, one is unable to fight back. I’m going with Wilder on 60% for the contest. He’s a puncher and Joshua could be set on. Deontay’s able to send someone flying when he touches them. They usually have the flight.”
Wilder has stopped every man he’s been in the ring with not named Fury, and his team believe Joshua would be the next victim within three or four rounds.
In fact, they recently accused the Brit of not wanting the fight because of that – something promoter Eddie Hearn has branded ‘a lot of s**t’