In a recent announcement, promoter Eddie Hearn confirmed the possibility of a rematch between British heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua and Dillian Whyte. Furthermore, negotiations are underway to schedule a highly-anticipated bout between Joshua and Deontay Wilder, also known as ‘The Bronze Bomber,’ in Saudi Arabia this December.
Joshua’s last fight took place in April at the renowned O2 Arena, where he secured a unanimous decision victory over Jermaine Franklin. This marked his successful return to the ring since December 2020 and has triggered intense speculation about his next opponent.
While Joshua expressed a desire to face off against Wilder, Eddie Hearn believes an additional fight under the guidance of trainer Derrick James would prove beneficial for the heavyweight champion. Hearn, renowned for his insightful analysis, emphasized the excitement surrounding a potential rematch with Whyte, asserting that Joshua would be fully motivated to square off against his rival, predicting an intense and eagerly-awaited battle.
Negotiations for a December clash between Joshua and Wilder in Saudi Arabia are already in progress, with Hearn confidently stating, “They know the numbers we want.” In an interview with Samina For Sale, Hearn elaborated on the potential deal with Saudi Arabia, drawing upon the success of previous high-profile fights, such as the bouts featuring Ruiz and Usyk. He expressed confidence that even if the highly-anticipated Fury-Usyk fight failed to materialize, the Saudis would still deliver the Joshua-Wilder showdown, given the financial terms both parties are seeking.
Hearn emphasized the importance of finalizing the Wilder fight first and then determining the opponent for Joshua’s August battle. While Hearn finds the prospect of a fight with Whyte intriguing, he acknowledges the risks associated with facing such a formidable opponent before a potentially career-defining match with Wilder.
Although there are concerns that Whyte’s recent performances indicate a decline, having suffered knockouts against Alexander Povetkin and Tyson Fury, some dispute Joshua’s victory over Franklin. The American boxer claims he was “robbed” by the British judges. Consequently, some boxing enthusiasts argue that Joshua should consider facing other worthy contenders, such as Otto Wallin, Filip Hrgovic, Andy Ruiz Jr, Zhilei Zhang, or Luis Ortiz, before stepping into the ring against Wilder in December.
The goal is to ensure that Joshua is adequately prepared and motivated for the challenges that lie ahead. A lackluster or one-sided encounter would not effectively ready him for the highly-anticipated showdown with the dangerous Wilder, which promises to be a defining moment in his career.
As negotiations progress and excitement builds within the boxing community, fans eagerly await the confirmation of the Joshua-Wilder fight, anticipating a clash of heavyweight titans that could reshape the landscape of the division.
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