![](https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/GettyImages-862490834-1.jpg?width=600)
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SHEFFIELD, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 17: Anthony Joshua trains during a media workout on October 17, 2017 in Sheffield, England. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
![](https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/GettyImages-862490834-1.jpg?width=600)
via Getty
SHEFFIELD, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 17: Anthony Joshua trains during a media workout on October 17, 2017 in Sheffield, England. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
There are several fights that were supposed to land in the history of boxing but could not reach fruition. Among them, there was a pretty intense hype for the clash between former unified WBA, IBF, WBO, and IBO champion Anthony Joshua and former WBC titleholder Deontay Wilder.
However, because of the busy schedule of ‘The Bronze Bomber’, he backed from colliding with the British star. Notably, the power mammoth was in contract to fight a rematch against the greatest heavyweight of this generation, Tyson Fury.
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For the uninitiated, it never came across the mind of boxing critics. They took to the social media platforms targeting AJ for ducking Deontay Wilder.
Firstly, the 32-year-old boxer took to Twitter to end the “‘AJ ducked’ saga to rest” by accepting that he feared Deontay Wilder.
AJ wrote, “Yes, I’m scared.”
Yes I’m scared. https://t.co/2Z7hdVCwWs
— Anthony Joshua (@anthonyjoshua) March 9, 2022
However, this is not the first time critics targeted the big names in the boxing world. There’s not much known in the public domain about how a fight is organized. There is a lot of business behind the curtain that leads to big showdowns between great stalwarts.
What reason did Anthony Joshua give to shut down his critics?
The British star and ‘The Bronze Bomber’ are long-time rivals from the days of their amateur boxing. Interestingly, both clinched medals for their country in the Olympics.
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Wilder spotted 3rd and won a bronze medal in the 2008 Olympics, whereas Joshua claimed gold at the 2012 London Olympics. However, both were supposed to fight, but it was not destined.
Joshua added Wilder’s tweet and wrote, “Need I say more! Let’s put this “ AJ ducked ” saga to rest. I respect wilder he’s a good fighter. He just wasn’t ready to fight me! If you don’t believe me. See below.”
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Need I say more! Let’s put this “ AJ ducked “ saga to rest. I respect wilder he’s a good fighter. He just wasn’t ready to fight me! If you don’t believe me. See below https://t.co/FhFO2v2rel
— Anthony Joshua (@anthonyjoshua) March 9, 2022
‘The Bronze Bomber’ tweeted in 2020 to inform ‘The Gypsy King’ about the rematch. He wrote, “When that fight was a draw. I told you that I would give you a rematch. You know I was offered more money to fight Joshua than I was getting to fight you. Again being a man of my word, I fought you like I said I would…”
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However, as of now, AJ is sweating hard to fight a rematch against the Ukrainian Oleksandr Usyk to get back his throne of unified heavyweight.