Deontay "The Bronze Bomber" Wilder shows no signs of regret over the latest missed opportunity to square off against Anthony Joshua, a fight that never materialized. The former WBC heavyweight champion, hailing from the United States, has been mentioned repeatedly as a potential opponent for Joshua this summer, largely due to the efforts of Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, who runs Matchroom Boxing. Hearn hinted that a Wilder‑Joshua clash could be penciled in before Joshua’s anticipated showdown with Tyson Fury, slated for sometime in 2026. Despite the buzz, Joshua’s next bout is set for July, but it will be against relatively unknown Albanian contender Kristian Prenga in Riyadh, not Wilder.
Wilder’s manager, Shelly Finkel, made it clear that his client is not bitter about the missed matchup. In an interview with Sky Sports, Finkel said, “You can’t be disappointed about something that never was. Eddie never reached out to us, and Joshua never seemed intent on fighting Deontay.” He added that the situation is “the same old story, just a new date.” Matchroom declined to comment when Sky Sports sought a response, leaving the speculation to linger.
Both fighters have flirted with the idea of meeting in the ring before. Back in 2019, a fight between the two was on the table as a potential undisputed heavyweight showdown, but Joshua’s shocking loss to Andy Ruiz derailed those plans. Joshua later avenged that defeat, but the Wilder‑Joshua fight never resurfaced at that time. The most recent brush with each other came in 2023, when Joshua headlined a card that also featured Wilder.
That night, Joshua dispatched Otto Wallin, while Wilder suffered an unexpected defeat at the hands of Joseph Parker. The loss was a setback for Wilder, but it also underscored his willingness to stay active and seek high‑profile opponents. Earlier this month, Wilder traveled to the United Kingdom and secured a victory over Derek Chisora, a seasoned British heavyweight.
The win added another notch to his resume and kept him in the conversation for future marquee matchups. In addition to Joshua, Wilder’s camp has been circling a possible bout with the unified champion Oleksandr Usyk, a fight that would present a different stylistic challenge and could further cement Wilder’s legacy. When asked about his future prospects, Wilder has remained optimistic.
He told Sky Sports, “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 unify the heavyweight division, a goal that has eluded him so far. “Why not set goals while you’re inside the ring?
I have. Unifying the division would be an overwhelming feeling for me. That’s something I’ve never had the chance to achieve.” Wilder also addressed the swirling rumors surrounding potential opponents. “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 said. He praised Joshua as “one of the best in this era” and expressed that a fight with him would help Wilder reach his own objectives.
In summary, Wilder’s stance is one of patience and confidence. He acknowledges that negotiations in boxing can be fickle, but he refuses to let unfulfilled talks dampen his motivation.
With his recent win over Chisora, the prospect of a future clash with Joshua—or any other top‑tier heavyweight—remains open. As long as he stays active and continues to chase the unification dream, Wilder’s name will keep surfacing in the heavyweight conversation, regardless of whether a specific bout materializes this summer or later down the line.