The boxing world has been taken by storm as Deontay Wilder unequivocally stated his desire to face Anthony Joshua. This announcement has reignited excitement, especially since an earlier scheduled bout in Saudi Arabia between the two did not materialize.
As 2024 draws near, fans are hopeful that the year will finally see this much-anticipated face-off. Joshua and Wilder are among the biggest names in the boxing heavyweight division that has undefeated champions like Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury.
Deontay Wilder challenges Anthony Joshua
Deontay Wilder is a powerhouse in the heavyweight division. He took to social media to make his intentions clear. Responding to Joshua’s recent comments, Wilder said, “It would be a major disaster if we were never able to get in the ring.”
Anthony Joshua has hinted at a potential fight this December. But the chances of it being against Wilder, the former WBC champion, seem minimal. Earlier talks for a match between the two were halted when potential Saudi sponsors withdrew support.
‼️ Deontay Wilder sending a direct call-out message to Anthony Joshua today: “It would be a major disaster if we were never able to get in the ring.”
— Michael Benson (@MichaelBensonn) October 25, 2023
[🎥 @BronzeBomber] pic.twitter.com/IqH14UFcv4
Eddie Hearn, a renowned boxing promoter, has since initiated new negotiations. Now, the idea is to possibly host this epic showdown in the U.S. early next year. However, combining this event with the Oleksandr Usyk-Tyson Fury fight is not in the cards.
Wilder, known for his tenacity in the ring, recently secured a first-round victory against Robert Helenius. Addressing Joshua directly, Wilder emphasized, “I’m here, I’m ready to go.” This direct call-out by Wilder not only reiterates his eagerness but also challenges Joshua to respond.
As these two titans of boxing continue their verbal exchanges, the world eagerly awaits further developments. Both fighters have expressed their readiness to engage in what could be a historic bout. Now, it’s a matter of logistics and, hopefully, giving fans the showdown they’ve been clamoring for.
Why was Deontay Wilder’s bout with Andy Ruiz Jr. canceled?
The boxing community was eagerly anticipating a match-up between heavyweight champions Andy Ruiz Jr. and Deontay Wilder. However, recent insight suggests that money disputes may be derailing the expected showdown. With both fighters having significant clout in the boxing world, the financial stakes for such a bout are understandably high.
Andy Ruiz Jr., nicknamed ‘The Destroyer,’ has been notably absent from the boxing scene for over a year. His last appearance was in September 2022, where he secured a victory against Luis Ortiz. Following this win, Ruiz was set to face Deontay Wilder for a WBC title eliminator, with the winner potentially challenging Tyson Fury. Despite the buzz surrounding this match-up, the two boxers were unable to finalize an agreement and WBC removed Ruiz from title eliminator.
The WBC have now cancelled their order for Deontay Wilder vs Andy Ruiz a final eliminator to determine the next mandatory for Tyson Fury's WBC heavyweight world title as the fight has not been made. WBC will re-evaluate and may make a new ruling at the WBC convention in November.
— Michael Benson (@MichaelBensonn) August 18, 2023
The monetary issues have halted the Ruiz-Wilder bout, but there is hope that the two might still face off in the future, especially given that neither has a confirmed opponent lined up. With the heavyweight division in flux, several enticing match-ups are on the horizon.
Ruiz has shown interest in a trilogy fight with Anthony Joshua, while Joshua himself has been in talks with Wilder. These potential fights have stirred excitement among fans in the entire combat sports community.
Who do you think Deontay Wilder fights next? Comment below!
