Deontay Wilder shows no sign of regret over the lost chance to face Anthony Joshua, a fight that never materialised. The former WBC heavyweight champion from the United States has been linked to a potential clash with Joshua on several occasions, most recently when Joshua's promoter Eddie Hearn floated the idea of a summer bout in 2026.

Hearn, who runs Matchroom Boxing, hinted that a Wilder‑Joshua showdown could be pencilled in before Joshua eventually meets Tyson Fury later that year. However, the July fight that Joshua has on his calendar is set to be against the relatively unknown Albanian contender Kristian Prenga in Riyadh, not Wilder. Wilder’s manager, Shelly Finkel, made it clear that his client is not upset about the missed opportunity. Speaking to Sky Sports, Finkel said, "You can't be disappointed about something that never was.

Eddie never reached out to us and Joshua clearly had no intention of fighting Deontay Wilder." The sentiment reflects a broader pattern in heavyweight boxing where negotiations often stall and fighters move on to other opponents. Matchroom declined to comment when Sky Sports sought a statement, leaving the speculation open-ended. Both fighters have flirted with the idea of a bout in the past.

Back in 2019, a potential Wilder‑Joshua fight was being discussed as a possible undisputed heavyweight championship clash. At the time, the prospect seemed almost inevitable until Joshua suffered a shocking defeat to Andy Ruiz, a loss he later avenged in a rematch. More recently, the two shared a card in 2023 when Joshua knocked out Otto Wallin, while Wilder suffered an unexpected defeat to Joseph Parker on the same evening. Wilder’s recent activity in the UK has kept him in the conversation.

Earlier this month he travelled to Britain and secured a victory over Derek Chisora, a win that bolstered his standing and kept the door open for future high‑profile match‑ups. In addition to a possible fight with Joshua, Wilder has been linked to a clash with the unified heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk, a bout that would carry significant weight in the ongoing quest to unify the division. When asked about his future plans, Wilder told Sky Sports, "It can happen and it will happen, unless I retire – and if that happens, that's fine with me.

I have to achieve what I set out to do at the start of my career. 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 never had the opportunity to have." He added that the boxing world is full of mixed messages, 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 in the era.

I do need him to accomplish what I need to accomplish." The broader heavyweight landscape in 2026 is shaping up to be busy, with several marquee fights slated throughout the year. While Joshua’s next fight against Prenga may not generate the same buzz as a Wilder showdown, it serves as a stepping stone in his campaign to reclaim the top spot.

Meanwhile, Wilder’s focus remains on staying active, taking on credible opponents, and positioning himself for a title‑unification bout when the right opportunity arises. In the meantime, fans can keep up with the latest developments through various platforms. Sky Sports offers a dedicated WhatsApp channel for breaking news, video highlights, and in‑depth analysis. Boxing enthusiasts can also stream fights and related content contract‑free via services like NOW, and tune into the weekly Toe2Toe podcast for expert commentary.

The sport’s digital ecosystem ensures that even when a fight falls through, the conversation continues across multiple media channels. Overall, Deontay Wilder’s attitude toward the missed Joshua fight is one of pragmatic acceptance. He acknowledges that negotiations can be fickle and that not every proposed matchup will come to fruition. By staying focused on his own goals—whether that means securing another win in the ring, chasing a unification bout with Usyk, or eventually stepping back from the sport—Wilder demonstrates a seasoned perspective that many veterans of the sport share.

As the heavyweight division continues to evolve, the possibility of a Wilder‑Joshua clash may resurface, but for now, both fighters are charting their own paths toward the ultimate prize in boxing.