Deontay Wilder has made it clear that he harbors no bitterness about the missed opportunity to fight Anthony Joshua again. The former WBC heavyweight champion, who hails from the United States, has been mentioned repeatedly as a potential opponent for Joshua in the summer months, thanks largely to the speculation generated by Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Hearn. Hearn, who runs Matchroom Boxing, floated the idea that a Wilder‑Joshua clash could take place before Joshua’s anticipated bout with Tyson Fury, which is slated for sometime in 2026. Despite the buzz, the next fight on Joshua’s schedule is set for July, and it will be against a relatively unknown Albanian fighter named Kristian Prenga in Riyadh, not against Wilder.
Wilder’s manager, Shelly Finkel, has been vocal in defending his client’s attitude, insisting that there is no disappointment on Wilder’s part because the fight never actually materialised. "You can’t be upset about something that never happened," Finkel told Sky Sports. He added that Eddie Hearn never reached out to Wilder’s camp and that Joshua himself never expressed a genuine desire to step into the ring with Wilder at this point.
The sentiment was echoed by a terse response from Matchroom when Sky Sports sought comment – the organization declined to provide any further details. The history between the two heavyweights stretches back several years. In 2019, a potential showdown was on the table that would have pitted the two men against each other for the undisputed heavyweight crown.
At that time, the fight seemed almost inevitable until Joshua suffered a shocking defeat to Andy Ruiz, a loss he later avenged in a rematch. Since then, the two have crossed paths on the same event card, most notably when Joshua faced Otto Wallin in 2023. On that night, Wilder suffered an unexpected defeat at the hands of Joseph Parker, which temporarily derailed any immediate plans for a Wilder‑Joshua encounter.
Wilder’s recent activity has kept him in the public eye. Earlier this month he travelled to the United Kingdom and secured a victory over Derek Chisora, a win that has reignited discussions about his next big challenge. While the Joshua fight remains elusive, there is growing speculation that Wilder could line up a bout with the unified champion Oleksandr Usyk. The American heavyweight has expressed openness to such a matchup, stating in a prior interview with Sky Sports that he believes a fight with Usyk "can happen and will happen" unless he decides to retire, which he says would be acceptable if it aligns with his career goals.
Wilder’s ambition remains focused on achieving the unification of the heavyweight division – a milestone he feels he has never had the chance to attain. He explained that his primary aim is to fulfill the objectives he set at the start of his professional journey, and that unifying the titles would be an "overwhelming feeling" for him. He also noted that the boxing world is full of rumors and shifting narratives, saying, "I hear a lot of things. I don’t keep up with too much.
I hear he wants to fight me and then all of a sudden he doesn’t want to fight me. You really don’t know what to believe when you’re in the business of boxing." Despite the uncertainty, Wilder remains respectful of Joshua’s abilities, calling him "one of the best in the era" and acknowledging that a fight between them would help both men achieve their respective goals. He concluded that he needs a fight with Joshua to "accomplish what I need to accomplish," underscoring his desire to test himself against top‑tier opposition. Looking ahead to 2026, the boxing calendar is already filling with high‑profile matchups.
While Joshua’s immediate focus is on his July bout in Riyadh, the broader picture includes potential mega‑fights involving Tyson Fury, Oleksandr Usyk, and possibly a renewed Wilder‑Joshua clash if the stars align. For now, Wilder appears content to continue his pursuit of big fights, whether that means taking on Usyk, seeking another high‑stakes opponent, or waiting for the right moment to finally face Joshua in the ring. In summary, Deontay Wilder’s stance is one of pragmatic optimism.
He acknowledges that the fight with Anthony Joshua never materialised, but he harbours no regrets. Instead, he looks forward, keeping his options open and his goals firmly in sight, ready to seize the next opportunity that comes his way in the heavyweight division.