Deontay "The Bronze Bomber" Wilder has made it clear that he harbors no bitterness about the missed opportunity to face Anthony Joshua, a fight that never materialised. The former WBC heavyweight champion, who hails from the United States, has been linked repeatedly with Joshua as a potential opponent, especially after Joshua's promoter Eddie Hearn floated the idea earlier this summer. Hearn, who runs Matchroom Boxing, hinted that a Wilder‑Joshua clash could be arranged before Joshua eventually takes on Tyson Fury in a later part of 2026.
However, those plans never came to fruition, and Wilder remains unfazed. According to Shelly Finkel, Wilder's long‑time manager, the American fighter has not been disappointed by the absence of a bout with Joshua. In a conversation with Sky Sports, Finkel explained that there was never a concrete offer from Hearn's side and that Joshua himself showed little genuine interest in stepping into the ring with Wilder at this stage.
"You can't be upset about something that never existed," Finkel said, emphasizing that the negotiations never progressed beyond speculation. He added that the pattern is familiar: "Same old story, just a new date," indicating that the boxing world often revisits potential match‑ups without ever sealing the deal. Joshua's next fight is scheduled for July, but it will be against a relatively unknown Albanian contender, Kristian Prenga, in Riyadh, rather than against Wilder.
This bout is part of Joshua's broader plan to stay active while his team continues to explore bigger pay‑per‑view opportunities. Meanwhile, Matchroom Boxing declined to comment when Sky Sports reached out for clarification on the status of any Wilder‑Joshua negotiations. The history between the two heavyweight stars stretches back several years.
In 2019, a fight between Wilder and Joshua was being discussed as a possible unification bout that could crown an undisputed heavyweight champion. At that time, the prospect seemed within reach, but Joshua suffered a shocking upset at the hands of Andy Ruiz.
Joshua later avenged that loss, but the window for a Wilder‑Joshua showdown narrowed considerably. Fast forward to 2023, when both fighters appeared on the same card: Joshua knocked out Otto Wallin, while Wilder experienced an unexpected defeat to Joseph Parker.
That night highlighted how fortunes can swing dramatically in boxing, and it underscored why a Wilder‑Joshua fight remains a tantalising what‑if scenario for fans. Wilder has stayed busy in recent months. Earlier this year, he travelled to the United Kingdom and secured a victory over Derek Chisora, demonstrating that he still possesses the power and skill that made him a world champion.
Following that win, Wilder's camp has been looking for the next high‑profile opponent, with the name of unified champion Oleksandr Usyk frequently surfacing in speculation. The Ukrainian fighter, who holds multiple heavyweight titles, would present a compelling challenge and could finally give Wilder the chance to unify the division—a goal he has repeatedly expressed.
When asked about his future, Wilder has remained optimistic. He told Sky Sports that a fight with Joshua "can happen and will happen" unless he decides to retire, a decision he says would be acceptable if it aligns with his personal goals. "I have to achieve what I set out to do at the start of my career," Wilder explained. "Why not set goals while you're inside the ring?
Unifying the division would be an overwhelming feeling for me – something I never got the chance to experience." Wilder also commented on the confusing nature of boxing negotiations. He noted that he hears conflicting reports about whether Joshua wants to fight him, and that the information can be contradictory. "You really don't know what to believe when you're in the business of boxing," Wilder said. He added that Joshua is among the best fighters of this era, and that securing a bout with him would help Wilder accomplish his own ambitions.
In summary, despite the repeated chatter about a potential Wilder‑Joshua showdown, the former champion remains untroubled by its absence. He continues to pursue other big fights, stays active in the ring, and keeps his eyes on the ultimate prize: unifying the heavyweight titles. Whether he eventually faces Joshua, Usyk, or another top contender, Wilder's focus stays on delivering performances that satisfy both his personal aspirations and the expectations of boxing fans worldwide.