Anthony Joshua vs. Deontay Wilder could happen next spring.
That is according to Matchroom Boxing’s Eddie Hearn. Prior to that happening, however, both fighters must overcome their next opponents in Saudi Arabia on December 23rd, 2023. Joshua is up against Otto Wallin, a dangerous southpaw who managed to last the distance with Tyson Fury. As for the Bronze Bomber, he takes on Joseph Parker, the ex-WBO heavyweight champion of the world. Those fights did receive a mixed response, with question marks over why the two fighters did not face each other instead. But Hearn has now offered hope that a fight could take place in the spring.
“They’ve [the Saudis] have made it clear. They want AJ against Wilder, and so does the world, and we will get there, I believe, but they both must win on December 23rd. Deontay has a pretty straight up and down opponent in Joseph Parker, who has definitely got himself together and is in a good place.
“If he can get into the fight early, he has a chance. He can get stopped early as anyone can against Deontay Wilder. But he’s a great fighter and a good guy as well. I think Wallin is a tough fight for AJ. Six weeks out against a tall, gifted southpaw, who is coming off a really big win in Russia against Gassiev, who is full of confidence. AJ has to stamp his authority on that. “If they [Wilder & Joshua] can be victorious, then I do believe you’ll see that fight in the spring,” Hearn stated
If the fight does not get made, then Wilder and Joshua do have potential other options. AJ has been linked with a fight against the IBF interim champion Filip Hrgovic. A win in this regard would put Joshua as the mandatory for the winner of Tyson Fury vs. Oleksandr Usyk. The IBF has ruled that the winner must defend against the interim champion or be stripped. Meanwhile, Wilder has spoken about crossing over into MMA, with Francis Ngannou being a potential option. But in reality, Wilder vs. Joshua is what the fanbase is hoping for.