Deontay Wilder shows no sign of regret about the missed chance to square off against Anthony Joshua, a bout that never materialised. The former WBC heavyweight champion from the United States has been mentioned repeatedly as a potential opponent for Joshua this summer, largely due to the efforts of Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, who heads Matchroom Boxing. Hearn hinted that a Wilder‑Joshua clash could be pencilled in before Joshua eventually faces Tyson Fury in a 2026 showdown.
However, the July fight that Joshua has on his calendar will not feature Wilder; instead, the British star will travel to Riyadh to meet relatively unknown Albanian contender Kristian Prenga. Wilder’s manager, Shelly Finkel, was quick to stress that his client is not bitter about the missed opportunity. In an interview with Sky Sports, Finkel summed up the sentiment succinctly: “You can’t be disappointed about something that never was.” He added that Eddie Hearn never made direct contact with Wilder’s camp and that Joshua himself never expressed a genuine desire to fight the American heavyweight. The pattern of speculation surrounding a Wilder‑Joshua matchup has been a recurring theme over the past several years.
Back in 2019, when the two fighters were on the verge of a bout that could have produced an undisputed heavyweight champion, the prospect seemed almost inevitable. That momentum was abruptly halted when Joshua suffered a shock defeat to Andy Ruiz, a loss he later avenged in a rematch.
The episode left the heavyweight landscape in flux and the anticipated Wilder‑Joshua fight was shelved. Fast forward to 2023, the two names appeared on the same card once again when Joshua faced Otto Wallin.
That night, Wilder suffered an unexpected defeat to Joseph Parker, a result that further complicated any immediate plans for a clash between the two. Despite that setback, Wilder continued to stay active, traveling to the United Kingdom earlier this month where he secured a victory over Derek Chisora. The win revitalised his standing and kept the door open for future high‑profile fights.
In recent weeks, rumours have linked Wilder to a potential showdown with unified champion Oleksandr Usyk. Wilder has spoken openly about his desire to unify the heavyweight division, describing such an achievement as an "overwhelming feeling" that has eluded him throughout his career. He told Sky Sports that he remains focused on his original objectives and that, unless he decides to retire, he will keep pursuing big fights.
"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," he said. Wilder also acknowledged the noisy environment 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 explained. "He’s one of the best of this era.
I do need him to accomplish what I need to accomplish." Matchroom Boxing declined to comment when approached by Sky Sports for a statement on the matter. Meanwhile, Joshua’s camp continues to focus on the upcoming fight in Riyadh, treating the Prenga bout as a stepping stone toward larger goals, potentially including a clash with Tyson Fury later in the year. For Wilder, the emphasis remains on staying active, taking on credible opponents, and positioning himself for a title‑unification fight when the opportunity finally presents itself. The broader heavyweight calendar for 2026 is already shaping up with several marquee events, and both Wilder and Joshua are expected to feature prominently as they chase legacy‑defining victories.
While the Wilder‑Joshua fight remains a tantalising "what‑if" scenario, both fighters appear content to pursue their individual paths without lingering on missed opportunities. In the ever‑changing world of boxing, where negotiations can shift overnight and promoters’ plans evolve rapidly, Wilder’s pragmatic outlook—"Can’t be disappointed about something that never was"—captures the reality that not every dream bout will come to fruition, but the pursuit of greatness continues regardless.