Deontay "The Bronze Bomber" Wilder has made it clear that he harbors no bitterness about missing yet another chance to step into the ring with Anthony Joshua. The former WBC heavyweight champion, who hails from the United States, has been mentioned repeatedly in the media as a potential opponent for the British fighter, but the bout never materialised, and Wilder says he is perfectly at peace with that outcome. The idea of a Wilder‑Joshua clash resurfaced this summer when Eddie Hearn, the influential promoter behind Matchroom Boxing, floated the possibility of a fight between the two heavyweights.
Hearn hinted that a Wilder‑Joshua matchup could be arranged before Joshua eventually pursues a showdown with Tyson Fury, which is slated for sometime in 2026. Despite the tantalising speculation, the negotiations never advanced beyond a casual suggestion, and the two camps have since moved on to other projects. Joshua’s next fight is scheduled for July, but instead of facing Wilder, he will travel to Riyadh to take on the relatively unknown Albanian contender Kristian Prenga. The bout against Prenga is seen as a stepping‑stone for Joshua as he continues to rebuild his resume after a series of high‑profile fights.
Meanwhile, Wilder’s team, led by manager Shelly Finkel, has been vocal about the fact that there is no lingering disappointment on their side. "You can't be disappointed about something that never was," Finkel told Sky Sports in a candid interview. He added that Eddie Hearn never reached out directly to discuss a fight, and that Joshua himself apparently had no genuine intention of committing to a Wilder bout at this stage of his career.
"Same old story, just a new date," Finkel remarked, underscoring the repetitive nature of these negotiations that often surface in heavyweight boxing but rarely culminate in a contract. Matchroom Boxing declined to comment when Sky Sports sought a statement, leaving the speculation to swirl in the boxing press.
The lack of an official response only fuels the narrative that such talks are more about keeping fans interested than about concrete plans. In the meantime, both fighters continue to pursue other opponents and objectives.
Historically, Wilder and Joshua have come close to sealing a deal on several occasions. Back in 2019, when the heavyweight division was still fragmented, a unification bout between the two seemed almost inevitable. That window closed abruptly when Joshua suffered a shocking upset at the hands of Andy Ruiz Jr., a loss he later avenged in a dramatic rematch.
The missed opportunity lingered in the collective imagination of fans, who have long wondered how a Wilder‑Joshua clash would have reshaped the heavyweight landscape. Fast forward to 2023, the two names appeared on the same fight card when Joshua faced Otto Wallin in a high‑profile event. On that night, Wilder experienced his own setback, losing unexpectedly to Joseph Parker, a result that temporarily derailed his momentum. Nonetheless, the shared experience of being on the same undercard kept the conversation alive, as analysts continued to debate the timing and logistics of a potential showdown.
Earlier this month, Wilder traveled to the United Kingdom and secured a decisive victory over Derek Chisora, demonstrating that he remains a force to be reckoned with. The win has reignited speculation about his next move, with several name‑checks emerging in the media.
One of the most intriguing possibilities is a clash with the unified champion Oleksandr Usyk, a fighter who has already cemented his legacy by unifying the heavyweight titles. Wilder himself has expressed optimism about future match‑ups, stating to Sky Sports, "It can happen and it will happen, unless I retire, and if I do retire, that’s fine with me. I must accomplish what I set out to do at the start of my career." He emphasised his desire to achieve something that has eluded him so far: unifying the heavyweight division. "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 that I never had the opportunity to have," Wilder explained. He also acknowledged the chaotic nature of boxing negotiations, 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." Despite the uncertainty, Wilder remains respectful of Joshua’s abilities, describing him as "one of the best in the era" and stating, "I do need him to accomplish what I need to accomplish." In summary, while the Wilder‑Joshua fight remains a tantalising "what‑if" scenario, both fighters appear content to pursue other avenues for now. Wilder’s recent victories and his expressed ambition to chase unification suggest that he will continue to seek high‑profile opponents, while Joshua’s upcoming bout with Prenga offers him a platform to stay active and maintain his standing in the division. The heavyweight landscape is ever‑shifting, and fans can only wait to see which future match‑ups will finally bring these two titans together in the ring.