A massive showdown between Deontay Wilder and Anthony Joshua reportedly is set, assuming they don’t lose or get injured in their upcoming fights.
The former heavyweight titleholders have agreed on financial terms for a fight on March 9 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, ESPN reported on Wednesday. The outlet cited “sources”.
The deal will be finalized if Wilder defeats former beltholder Joseph Parker and Joshua beats Otto Wallin and they emerge healthy on their Dec. 23 card in the same location.
Eddie Hearn, Joshua’s promoter, spoke to ESPN about the Wilder-Joshua matchup last week in San Francisco, where Devin Haney defeated Regis Prograis on Saturday.
“The reason that fight is happening with both on the same night is to prepare for and build a fight between the two,” Hearn said. “… The contracts aren’t signed, talks continue, but everybody wants to make that fight.
” … Everyone’s saying, ‘Well, why are you fighting a tough fight before Deontay Wilder?’ That was the fight that was proposed to us from Saudi. Joshua’s never turned down a fight. Wallin’s been on our list for the last two fights.
“The only reason we haven’t boxed him is because he’s a southpaw. So, to fight a southpaw on six weeks’ notice with a new trainer, not ideal, but [the Saudis] like the fight. They fancy the fight. Fingers crossed.”
Wilder (43-2-1, 42 KOs) rebounded from back-to-back knockout losses to Tyson Fury by stopping Robert Helenius in the first round on Oct. 15, his first victory since November 2019.
Joshua (26-3, 23 KOs) has won consecutive fights – a decision over Jermaine Franklin in April and seventh-round knockout of Helenius on Aug. 12 – after back-to-back setbacks against Oleksandr Usyk.
The Englishman, who had been working with Derrick James, will be have trainer Ben Davison in his corner for his fight against Wallin.
Talk of a meeting between Wilder and Joshua began in 2019, when both were titleholders. However, it remains one of the biggest possible matchups in the sport.
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