Heavyweight Dream Reignited: Matchroom Teases Anthony Joshua vs. Deontay Wilder Superfight
The long-awaited heavyweight clash between Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder could finally become reality, as Matchroom Boxing rekindles talks around one of the most tantalizing matchups in modern boxing history.
After years of near misses, contract disagreements, and diverging career trajectories, the Joshua-Wilder showdown — once hailed as a unification mega-fight — may be set for a dramatic resurrection. This time, the stakes may be different, but the public appetite is still as intense as ever.
Matchroom Signals Fresh Interest
Matchroom Boxing CEO Frank Smith confirmed in a recent interview that the bout is “firmly back on the radar,” pending Wilder’s performance in his upcoming return. Speaking to Boxing News, Smith emphasized the enduring appeal of a Joshua-Wilder battle.
“This sport is about narrative,” Smith said. “It’s about buying into fights that people have an interest in — and that’s a fight everyone would still have interest in.”
Wilder, now 39, is slated to fight Tyrrell Herndon — a journeyman with a modest record — on June 27 in Kansas. This warm-up bout could serve as a springboard for Wilder, who is desperately seeking to regain momentum after a string of high-profile losses.
Once feared as the most dangerous puncher in the heavyweight division, Wilder has dropped four of his last five fights, suffering defeats to Tyson Fury, Joseph Parker, and Zhilei Zhang. Despite this, his knockout power and outspoken persona still make him a box-office attraction — and that, combined with Joshua’s global appeal, makes the proposed bout a financial and narrative goldmine.
Joshua’s Recovery and Next Steps
Meanwhile, Anthony Joshua is on the road to recovery following elbow surgery, with a return to the ring eyed for between September and November. Though not yet cleared to fight, the former two-time unified world champion remains one of the sport’s biggest commercial draws.
Matchroom has been in active discussions with Saudi Arabian officials, including those behind the glitzy Riyadh Season, about staging what could be a two-fight deal. The Kingdom is rapidly establishing itself as boxing’s new epicenter, and a Joshua-Wilder bout in Riyadh would undoubtedly draw global attention.
Other potential names had been floated — such as Jared Anderson and old rival Dillian Whyte — but Whyte is reportedly close to finalizing a bout in August against British teenage sensation Moses Itauma, leaving Wilder as the more realistic marquee option.
“I personally like the Deontay Wilder fight myself,” Smith told BoxingScene. “There’s so much narrative there.”
Career-Defining Moment for Joshua
For Joshua, whose career has seen both dazzling highs and frustrating lows, the decision on who to face next could be pivotal.
“AJ’s in a great position,” Smith continued. “He’s still commercially the biggest draw in the sport, I believe, but we’ve got to make the right decision — and this is the biggest decision he’ll make of his career.”
While fans are eager, Matchroom insists the top priority remains Joshua’s health and a well-timed return.
“Get back in the gym, get 100 per cent, and then we’ll go for it,” Smith concluded.
Is It Finally Time?
Whether the stars finally align for the Joshua-Wilder bout remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the demand hasn’t died. Both men may be in the latter stages of their careers, but with global fans still craving resolution to one of boxing’s biggest “what ifs,” this could be the final chance to make the fight happen — and make history
