Anthony Joshua Needs To Fight Deontay Wilder Before It Gets Too Late

The fight has been in the making for years but continues to elude Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder. The time is high when both fighters in their twilight years have to touch gloves in the square circle. While they will headline an event on December 23, they will instead face Otto Wallin and Joseph Parker, respectively. The winners will then collide next year, and if current rumors are to be believed, both ‘AJ’ and ‘The Bronze Bomber’ will have a go at each other in March.

Wilder and Joshua teased and brokered talks for a potential fight when they owned all four heavyweight titles between them in 2019. Some years down the line, they are fighting it out to claim the number-one challenger spot for Tyson Fury‘s title. The fight is not only a PPV blockbuster but also a chance to assert their authority in the division.

Anthony Joshua vs. Deontay Wilder: The last glimpses of heavyweights

Since Anthony Joshua dropped a fight with Andy Ruiz Jr. in 2019, he has never achieved the same heights. Despite his bouncing off quickly, two straight losses to Oleksandr Usyk stagnated his career. Meanwhile, Deontay Wilder’s two losses to Tyson Fury also tell a similar story.

Joshua, 34, and Wilder, 38, have only a few years left in the tank, and they might have to battle it out for a last title push. Besides, a matchup involving them has blockbuster written over it, and the fans will flock in to buy tickets. Fans might even shell out money to purchase PPVs.

Fans would love to cherish the last fights of either boxer, and a potential matchup between them will generate ample buzz among them. The fans are conscious of both boxers’ age, closer to 40. It adds to the allure of the fight, not to mention the two top heavyweights going blow-to-blow inside the boxing ring.

Therefore, even Wilder is confident of meeting Joshua in the ring this time. The American boxer said, “I don’t see anything stopping this fight happening between me and AJ at this time… But what I’ve seen so far and as of right now, there’s nothing stopping it.”

It’s all about grabbing the top spot and redemption

Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder belonged to the top tier until both hit a ceiling in Usyk and Fury, respectively. To reclaim themselves as elite heavyweights, they must trample upon each other and move up the ladder.

Eventually, all fights should lead you to a title push, especially at a junction where you might have only a couple of years of boxing left. You have to challenge the next best; in this case, it’s Wilder for Joshua and vice versa. A win will propel either of them to a title shot against the victor of Usyk vs. Fury. It’s no wonder Wilder feels the heat and pressure of such a fight, where an adverse result might push him into retirement.

“Joshua is the biggest fight in comeback sport, period. When people talk to me, the main thing they talk about is me and him. All the time… It applies pressure because the world wants to see [it],” Wilder told Eurosport. Wilder might have fallen victim to ring rust, as he hasn’t donned boxing gloves since his KO win against Robert Helenius in October 2022. Meanwhile, Joshua is slowly steering his career to claim that coveted belt again.

Setting the tone for 2024 and career

While Wilder is content with fighting either Joshua or Francis Ngannou, Joshua is in hopes of a title fight against Tyson Fury. However, Joshua is not in Tyson Fury’s plans. He might have to wait for him. “He’d have a long wait for Tyson,” Fury’s promoter Frank Warren told Sky Sports. “Tyson’s got his fight and his program’s set out for next year and at this moment in time doesn’t include Joshua.”

Read More: “He Worked With Fury When He Fought Otto”: Ahead of December 23rd Fight Against Otto Wallin, Anthony Joshua Reveals Why He Hired Tyson Fury’s Former Trainer

2024 is a critical year in both boxers’ careers, and setting up a big fight might reveal where they might head next. Wilder is not shying away from the idea of entertaining crossover fights and raking in those money bags. Meanwhile, for Joshua, the Wilder fight is his last hurrah for a title fight. If Joshua pushes Wilder away or keeps him hanging, the latter has his options. Joshua doesn’t have an ideal replacement, and securing a win against anyone else except Wilder won’t stamp his ticket to the title fight.

What do you make of this upcoming probable fight between Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder? Let us know in the comments below.

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