Anthony Joshua’s return to the ring has been delayed after an injury, but his return could see the making of a fight fans have wanted for years.
For years fans have requested Anthony Joshua vs Deontay Wilder, and on several occasions a fight between the pair seemed like the logical next move.
In 2023 the fight got close once again, with AJ and Wilder co-heading a double bill that aimed to set up the mega-fight. Whilst AJ held up his end, Wilder lost to Joseph Parker by unanimous decision.
Despite Wilder’s series of losses, he has returned with a win over Tyrrell Herndon, which could now set up a fight with Joshua sometime at the end of the year.
Joshua wanted the fight seven years ago, and had an out-of-the-box idea regarding its location.
Anthony Joshua wanted to stage Deontay Wilder fight in Nigeria seven years ago
Seven years ago, in 2017, IFL spoke to AJ ahead of his fight against Carlos Takam in Cardiff, Wales.
In that interview, AJ spoke on his upcoming fight, which he won via 10th-round TKO, but also spoke on the Deontay Wilder fight, and where it should be hosted.
The topic arose when Joshua was asked if he thought he’d ever fight in his home country of Nigeria.
Joshua said, “It could happen. It just has to be the right fight. I think me and Wilder, God willing that fight comes off which it has to, would be good for Nigeria, but then it’s good for Vegas as well.”
Wilder and Joshua are both of Nigerian heritage, so the location is not unreasonable for the mega-fight between the pair.
Deontay Wilder’s new coach used to work for his bitter rival
Ahead of his fight with Herndon, it was revealed that Wilder had parted ways with his trainer Malik Scott, who oversaw just one win in his time with ‘The Bronze Bomber’.
Wilder knocked out Scott as an opponent years before they teamed up.
Wilder teamed up with Don House, who used to coach Bermane Stiverne, the only man Wilder has beaten on points.
Stiverne broke Wilder’s 32-KO streak when they fought for the world title, but was ironed out in one round in their rematch.