Deontay Wilder shows no sign of remorse over the lost chance to face Anthony Joshua, a bout that never materialised. The former WBC heavyweight champion, who hails from the United States, has been floated by Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Hearn of Matchroom Boxing, as a potential opponent for a summer clash. Hearn hinted that a Wilder‑Joshua showdown could be pencilled in before Joshua’s anticipated fight with Tyson Fury in 2026. However, the next fight on Joshua’s calendar is set for July, where he will travel to Riyadh to meet the relatively unknown Albanian contender Kristian Prenga, 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 happened.
Eddie never reached out to us and it was obvious that Joshua had no real intention of stepping into the ring with Deontay.” The sentiment was echoed in a brief statement from Matchroom, which declined to comment when approached by the media outlet. The notion of a Wilder‑Joshua fight is not new. The two have flirted with agreement on several occasions.
Back in 2019, a unification bout seemed within reach, with the winner poised to become the undisputed heavyweight champion. That prospect evaporated after Joshua suffered an upset loss to Andy Ruiz, a defeat he later avenged in a rematch. More recently, both fighters appeared on the same card when Joshua dispatched Otto Wallin in 2023.
On that night, Wilder suffered an unexpected defeat to Joseph Parker, further delaying any immediate talk of a clash between the two. Wilder’s recent activity in the United Kingdom, where he secured a victory over Derek Chisora, suggests he remains eager to stay active and pursue high‑profile match‑ups. In addition to Joshua, the American heavyweight has been linked to a potential showdown with unified champion Oleksandr Usyk.
When asked about future possibilities, 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 fulfill the goals I set at the start of my career.” He elaborated on his ambitions, noting that unifying the heavyweight division would be an “overwhelming feeling” – a milestone he feels he has never been given the chance to achieve.
Wilder also commented on the often‑confusing nature of boxing negotiations, saying, “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 back‑and‑forth, Wilder remains respectful of Joshua’s standing in the sport.
“He’s one of the best of this era. I do need him to accomplish what I need to accomplish,” Wilder said, underscoring his desire for a definitive test against a top‑tier opponent. Looking ahead, the heavyweight landscape for 2026 is shaping up with several marquee events on the horizon. While Joshua’s July bout against Prenga will likely serve as a stepping stone toward a larger fight later in the year, Wilder’s camp appears focused on staying relevant and securing a fight that can propel him back into title contention.
Whether that opponent is Joshua, Usyk, or another elite heavyweight remains to be seen, but Wilder’s confidence and willingness to pursue unification suggest he will continue to chase the biggest possible challenges. In the meantime, fans can stay updated on the evolving schedule through platforms like Sky Sports, which offers video highlights, podcasts such as Toe2Toe, and real‑time news via WhatsApp. The boxing community remains attentive to any developments, aware that negotiations can shift quickly and that today’s rumor may become tomorrow’s headline bout. Ultimately, Wilder’s message is simple: he will not lament a fight that never happened.
Instead, he will keep training, keep looking for the next big opportunity, and aim to fulfill the legacy he set out to build when he first entered the sport. The heavyweight division may still be missing a Wilder‑Joshua showdown, but the former champion’s resolve to chase glory remains as strong as ever.