Deontay Wilder shows no sign of regret about the missed chance to face Anthony Joshua again. The former WBC heavyweight champion, who hails from the United States, has been floated by Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn as a possible opponent for a summer bout. Hearn, who runs Matchroom Boxing, hinted that a Wilder‑Joshua showdown could be penciled in before Joshua eventually takes on Tyson Fury in 2026.
However, the next fight on Joshua’s calendar is set for July, when he will travel to Riyadh to meet relatively unknown Albanian contender Kristian Prenga, not Wilder. Wilder’s manager, Shelly Finkel, made it clear that his client is not feeling any disappointment over the lost opportunity.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Finkel said, “You can’t be upset about something that never materialized.” He added that Eddie Hearn never reached out to the Wilder camp and that Joshua never expressed a genuine desire to step into the ring with Deontay. In Finkel’s view, the whole episode is just “the same old story, just a new date.” Matchroom declined to comment when Sky Sports sought a reaction, and the conversation quickly shifted to the broader landscape of heavyweight boxing in 2026. While the sport’s schedule is packed with high‑profile clashes, the Wilder‑Joshua fight remains an elusive fantasy for fans.
Historically, the two fighters have come close to sealing a deal. Back in 2019, a bout between them was being positioned as a potential undisputed heavyweight championship fight. The plan seemed within reach until Joshua suffered an upset loss to Andy Ruiz, a defeat he later avenged in a rematch. More recently, the two shared a card in 2023 when Joshua dispatched Otto Wallin, but that night Wilder suffered a surprise defeat to Joseph Parker, derailing any immediate plans for a showdown.
Wilder’s own recent activity suggests he is still eager to stay relevant on the world stage. Earlier this month he traveled to the United Kingdom and secured a victory over Derek Chisora, a win that could open the door to further high‑profile matchups. One name that has been floated in the media is unified champion Oleksandr Usyk, a fight that would offer Wilder a chance to finally capture the unification glory he has long chased.
When asked about his future prospects, Wilder told Sky Sports, “It can happen and it will happen, unless I decide to retire, and if that’s the case I’ll be fine with it. I have to fulfill the goals I set at the start of my career.” He emphasized that his ambition remains to unify the heavyweight division, a milestone he feels he has never truly been given a chance to achieve.
“Why not set goals while you’re inside the ring? I have. Unifying the division would be an overwhelming feeling for me,” he said. Wilder also acknowledged the noise that surrounds boxing negotiations.
“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 remarked. Despite the confusion, he still holds Joshua in high regard, describing him as “one of the best of this era” and stating, “I do need him to accomplish what I need to accomplish.” In summary, Deontay Wilder appears content to let the missed Anthony Joshua fight fade into the background. He is focused on staying active, seeking new challenges, and ultimately achieving the unification of the heavyweight titles—a goal that has defined his career narrative for years.
Whether that path leads him to a clash with Joshua, a showdown with Usyk, or another marquee opponent remains to be seen, but Wilder’s determination to keep fighting and to chase the elusive heavyweight crown is unmistakable.