Deontay Wilder shows no sign of regret about the latest missed opportunity to face Anthony Joshua, a bout that never materialised. 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, largely due to the efforts of Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn. Hearn, who runs Matchroom Boxing, floated the idea that a Wilder‑Joshua clash could be arranged before Joshua’s anticipated showdown with Tyson Fury later in 2026.
However, the fight that many fans were hoping for will not happen, at least not in the immediate future. Joshua’s next fight is scheduled for July, but it will be against a relatively unknown Albanian fighter, Kristian Prenga, in Riyadh, rather than the high‑profile clash with Wilder that was once whispered about.
Shelly Finkel, Wilder’s manager, made it clear that his client is not feeling any bitterness or disappointment about the situation. In an interview with Sky Sports, Finkel said, “You can’t be disappointed about something that never was.” He added that Eddie Hearn never reached out to the Wilder camp and that Joshua himself never seemed genuinely interested in a bout with Deontay. The pattern of missed connections between the two heavyweights stretches back several years. In 2019, a fight between Wilder and Joshua was being discussed as a potential undisputed heavyweight title clash.
At that time, the matchup appeared almost inevitable until Joshua suffered an upset loss to Andy Ruiz, a defeat he later avenged. More recently, the two shared a card when Joshua faced Otto Wallin in 2023, a night that also saw Wilder suffer an unexpected defeat to Joseph Parker.
That loss, combined with the ever‑shifting landscape of heavyweight boxing, has kept the Wilder‑Joshua fight in limbo. Wilder, who fought in the United Kingdom earlier this month, secured a victory over Derek Chisora and is now looking for his next big opportunity. Rumours have linked him to a possible showdown with unified champion Oleksandr Usyk, a fight that could finally give Wilder the chance to unify the division—a goal he has repeatedly stated would be an "overwhelming feeling" for him. In a prior interview with Sky Sports, Wilder said, “It can happen and it will happen, unless I retire, and if I do, that’s fine with me.
I have to accomplish what I set out to do at the start of my career.” He emphasized his desire to chase titles inside the ring and not simply chase headlines. The broader heavyweight calendar for 2026 is already shaping up with several marquee events. While the Joshua‑Wilder bout is not on the docket, other high‑stakes fights are being arranged, and Matchroom Boxing has been tight‑lipped about commenting on the speculation. The promoter’s silence only adds to the mystery surrounding any future negotiations between the two camps.
Wilder’s perspective on the missed fight is pragmatic. He acknowledges hearing mixed messages about Joshua’s interest, noting, “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.” Yet despite the uncertainty, he still respects Joshua’s abilities, calling him “one of the best in the era” and stating that a victory over Joshua would help him achieve his own career objectives. Looking ahead, Wilder’s focus remains on staying active and pursuing fights that will move him closer to a potential unification bout. The heavyweight division is currently fragmented among several champions, and Wilder believes that a win over a top‑tier opponent like Joshua would cement his legacy and bring him closer to that elusive unification.
Until such a fight is officially confirmed, Wilder appears content to keep training, taking on opponents who can keep him in the conversation, and waiting for the right moment when the stars align. In summary, Deontay Wilder is not lamenting the lost chance to fight Anthony Joshua. He accepts that the fight was never truly on the table, and he continues to pursue his own path toward a title‑unifying showdown, whether that involves Joshua, Usyk, or another heavyweight contender.
The boxing world will be watching closely as the 2026 schedule unfolds, and Wilder’s next move could very well shape the future of the heavyweight division.