Don’t Mourn the Death of Anthony Joshua vs. Deontay Wilder Just Yet as Eddie Hearn Has Something to Say

The anticipation for a fight between Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder remains as strong as it ever was. Despite concerns among boxing fans about whether it will ever happen, Eddie Hearn, a key figure in these discussions, has suggested that the fight has not been permanently ruled out.

Anthony Joshua vs. Deontay Wilder was meant to happen this year in March. However, as Wilder failed to win against Joseph Parker in December, the fight collapsed. Now, in a surprising turn of events, in an effort to redeem himself from the loss last year, the Bronze Bomber will compete against Zhilei Zhang on the 5 vs. 5 card as part of Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom team. While Hearn and Wilder brace for the upcoming June 1 mega event, Eddie Hearn answers the burning question about a potential AJ vs. Wilder match.

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In a brief conversation with Boxing Social, Hearn, AJ’s promoter was quizzed on the possibility of the fight happening. Completely confident that it will, he highlighted that his fighter is still keen for it, and remains prepared to undertake it. He explained, “Joshua has proved time and time again that he will fight anybody. He wants to fight Wilder. He was gutted that fight fell through. So he’ll be cheering him to beat Zhang so that one day he can fight.”

via Imago

The fighters have been wanting to fight each other for more than seven years now. In 2019, AJ’s team offered the Alabama heavyweight a two-fight, $100 million offer. While that did not materialize, as did the offer the latter sent to Joshua a couple of years later, a $50 million offer to be specific. When the Saudis got involved, it seemed like the fight was closest to taking place. However, that too, fell apart, leaving the destiny of the fight shrouded in uncertainty.

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Uncertainty, however, does not deter the fighters from remaining hopeful for the fight to happen. Wilder too continues to root for it to happen at some point.

There is still hopeWilder stands in a do-or-die situation in his career. The slump his record has been in for a while now can only be salvaged if he defeats Zhilei Zhang this summer. Earlier in a speech, as he stood beside Hearn, he noted, “I’ve been through a lot. You understand me? I’ve had to regroup, I’ve had to get myself together and things don’t change overnight. Things don’t change for the next fight too. So, you have to keep working, you have to keep pushing, until you get what you want. I’m at this point where I’m narrowing it down and come the night of the fight, we will see if I got it or not.”

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Once he defeats Zhang, his chances of fighting AJ will likely open up, given the latter has no opponent for the next few months. To BBC, ‘The Bronze Bomber’ noted, “I always said it before; it’ll be a shame if we never fought each other. It only takes that one fight, that one night. June 1 is going to be that night, that one fight. Deontay Wilder knocks his head off and the world goes crazy. And there we go again, Wilder versus Joshua. They want it”

For argument’s sake, let’s assume that Deontay Wilder, known for his knockout skills, is back. Who do you think wins between him and Anthony Joshua? Take your picks in the comments section below.