Deontay "The Bronze Bomber" Wilder has made it clear that he harbours no bitterness about the lost opportunity to square off against Anthony Joshua, a fight that has been discussed on and off for years but never came to fruition. The former WBC heavyweight champion, who hails from the United States, was once floated as a potential opponent for the British star by Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, who heads Matchroom Boxing.
Hearn hinted that a Wilder‑Joshua showdown could be pencilled in for the summer, perhaps as a stepping‑stone before Joshua eventually takes on Tyson Fury in a much‑anticipated 2026 bout. However, the plans never moved beyond speculation.
In reality, Joshua’s next fight is scheduled for July, but it will be against a relatively unknown Albanian contender, Kristian Prenga, in Riyadh, not against Wilder. Shelly Finkel, Wilder’s longtime manager, has been outspoken in defending his client’s attitude. When asked by Sky Sports whether Wilder was disappointed about the missed fight, Finkel replied, “You can’t be disappointed about something that never was.” He went on to say that Eddie Hearn never formally approached Wilder’s camp and that Joshua never seemed genuinely interested in a fight with Deontay.
The pattern of missed negotiations is not new in heavyweight boxing. Back in 2019, a potential undisputed clash between the two seemed imminent. At that time, both fighters were at the peak of their careers, and a unification bout would have settled the heavyweight hierarchy.
However, Joshua suffered a shocking upset at the hands of Andy Ruiz, a defeat he later avenged in a rematch. That loss derailed the momentum toward a Wilder‑Joshua showdown and sent the heavyweight landscape in a different direction. Fast forward to 2023, the two shared a card when Joshua knocked out Otto Wallin in a dominant performance.
On that same night, Wilder suffered an unexpected defeat to Joseph Parker, a result that further complicated any immediate plans for a fight with Joshua. Later in the year, Wilder travelled to the United Kingdom and secured a victory over Derek Chisora, showing that he remains a relevant force in the division and still seeking high‑profile match‑ups.
Despite the setbacks, Wilder’s aspirations have not waned. He has been linked to a possible encounter with the unified champion Oleksandr Usyk, a bout that would offer him a chance to finally claim a world title that has eluded him since his early days. In a previous interview with Sky Sports, Wilder expressed optimism about his future, stating, “It can happen and it will happen, unless I retire – and if I do, that’s fine with me.
I have to achieve what I set out to do when I started my career.” He emphasized his desire to unify the heavyweight division, describing such an achievement as an overwhelming feeling he has never experienced. Wilder also touched on the often‑confusing nature of boxing negotiations, noting that rumors swirl constantly. “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.
Nevertheless, he remains respectful of Joshua’s abilities, calling him “one of the best of this era” and acknowledging that a fight between the two would help both men accomplish their personal goals. The broader context of heavyweight boxing in 2026 adds another layer of intrigue. Matchroom Boxing’s schedule hints at several marquee events, including potential cross‑promotional fights that could bring together the sport’s biggest names.
While Hearn declined to comment when Sky Sports reached out for clarification, the speculation continues to fuel fan interest. Meanwhile, the sport’s digital platforms, such as NOW and the Toe2Toe podcast, keep audiences engaged with analysis, highlights, and behind‑the‑scenes commentary.
In summary, Deontay Wilder’s stance on the missed Joshua fight is one of pragmatic acceptance. He acknowledges that a bout that never materialized cannot be a source of disappointment, and he remains focused on the next steps in his career.
Whether that path leads to a clash with Joshua, a showdown with Usyk, or another high‑stakes encounter, Wilder’s determination to leave a lasting legacy in the heavyweight division is unmistakable. His recent victory over Chisora, combined with his outspoken confidence, suggests that he will continue to pursue the biggest possible challenges until he either secures a world title or decides to hang up the gloves on his own terms.