Anthony Joshua vs Deontay Wilder has been in works for several long years, without ever happening. The dream though refuses to die.
Last year possibly the two biggest-punching heavyweights in the sport came close to finally meeting in centre ring, all they had to do was win their warmup fights. A March 2024 date was in place, the only blockers were a pair of tune-ups on the huge ‘Day of Reckoning’ card in Saudi Arabia in December 2023.
Joshua, in his first fight with new trainer Ben Davison, looked like a fighter reborn as he blasted out Sweden’s Otto Wallin in five one-sided rounds.
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Wilder though came horribly unstuck, looking like a faded force as he was comprehensively outpointed by New Zealand’s Joseph Parker, hardly landing a punch in 12 disappointing rounds. The script for that March blockbuster was swiftly torn up.
Now though, in the most unlikely of circumstances, a Joshua vs Wilder showdown is being mooted again, this time for December 2024. Wilder is set to fight again despite following up that Parker loss with another to Zhilei Zhang in June 2024. He claims that his body is healed from multiple injuries and he is not a ‘shot’ fighter.
Joshua meanwhile had his plans for a potential blockbuster vs Anthony Joshua this year scuppered by an elbow injury which will require surgery. It will be December before he can return, and it’s unlikely the now retired Fury will be his first fight back.
When AJ recently discussed potential December opponents Fury was on the list, but so was Wilder – along with Martin Bakole and Agit Kabayel.
If AJ and ‘The Bronze Bomber’ finally do get it on, expect fireworks. Both still possess huge right hands capable of closing any show.
Joshua vs Wilder latest odds
But who would be favourite to win if Joshua vs Wilder does happen? It’s relatively close, despite Wilder’s demise in recent years. Clearly the oddsmakers don’t trust AJ either after his devastating KO loss to Daniel Dubois last September.
Right now the Brit is a 21/50 favourite – not exactly prohibitive but clearly ahead of Deontay. Wilder is the 9/5 underdog with the Draw an 18/1 shot.
And now we wait, as AJ rehabs that injured elbow, for his next opponent to be confirmed. If it is Wilder, get the popcorn ready.
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