Deontay Wilder shows no sign of regret over the lost opportunity to face Anthony Joshua, a matchup that never came to fruition. The former WBC heavyweight champion from the United States has been linked repeatedly to a potential clash with the British star, but Wilder’s camp insists the boxer is perfectly content with how things have unfolded.
The speculation began when Eddie Hearn, the influential promoter behind Matchroom Boxing, floated the idea that Joshua could meet Wilder during the summer schedule. Hearn hinted that a bout with Wilder might be penciled in before Joshua’s anticipated showdown with Tyson Fury in 2026. However, the July fight that Joshua has on his calendar is set against a relatively unknown Albanian fighter, Kristian Prenga, in Riyadh – not the American powerhouse.
Shelly Finkel, who manages Wilder, made it clear that his client has not been bothered by the missed chance. Speaking to Sky Sports, Finkel said, "You can’t be disappointed about something that never was. Eddie never reached out to us, and it’s evident that Joshua never intended to step into the ring with Deontay Wilder this summer." The manager added that the whole situation is "the same old story, just a new date," implying that the negotiations have been more talk than action. Matchroom declined to comment when Sky Sports sought clarification, leaving the speculation open-ended.
Nevertheless, the history between the two fighters stretches back several years, and the notion of a showdown has resurfaced multiple times. In 2019, when the heavyweight division was on the cusp of being unified, a Wilder‑Joshua fight seemed almost inevitable. That plan was derailed when Joshua suffered a shocking defeat to Andy Ruiz, a loss he later avenged in a rematch.
Fast forward to 2023, both men appeared on the same undercard when Joshua dispatched Otto Wallin. On that night, Wilder suffered an unexpected setback, losing to Joseph Parker in a bout that many had not anticipated.
The loss added another layer of complexity to any potential future meeting between the two heavyweights. Wilder’s recent activity in the United Kingdom, where he secured a victory over Derek Chisora, suggests he remains eager to stay active and explore new challenges. Among the rumors circulating is a possible clash with unified champion Oleksandr Usyk, a fight that would offer Wilder a chance to chase the unification dream that has eluded him throughout his career.
When asked about his future prospects, Wilder told Sky Sports, "It can happen and it will happen, unless I decide to retire – and if that happens, I’ll be fine with it. I have to fulfill the goals I set at the start of my career." He emphasized his desire to achieve something monumental inside the ring, stating, "Unifying the division would be an overwhelming feeling for me. That’s something I never got the opportunity to experience." Wilder also addressed the swirling rumors surrounding Joshua, 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. He’s one of the best of this era. I do need him to accomplish what I need to accomplish." In summary, Wilder’s attitude toward the missed Joshua fight is one of pragmatic acceptance.
He acknowledges that negotiations are fluid, promoters come and go, and the boxing landscape is constantly shifting. Rather than dwelling on what could have been, he focuses on staying active, taking on worthy opponents, and keeping the door open for a future showdown that could finally bring the heavyweight division closer to unification. As long as he remains healthy and motivated, the prospect of a Wilder‑Joshua clash remains a tantalising possibility for fans, even if it continues to linger on the periphery of the sport’s calendar.