PWInsider - WWE News, Wrestling News, WWE

WILL WE EVER SEE ANTHONY JOSHUA VS. DEONTAY WILDER?

Credit - Shutterstock.com

Anthony Joshua vs Deontay Wilder is a fight that has been touted for a while, but one that is yet to materialise. There were talks of the fight happening a while back, but the contract talks between both parties ultimately collapsed and the world has been left to wonder if we’ll ever see what could be the biggest fight in heavyweight boxing history.

It was back in the summer of 2017 that talks began to arrange a fight between Joshua and Wilder. Although there are reports that the fight could still happen, albeit in 2021, the deterioration of these talks might impact future negotiations. Let’s take a look at what went wrong the first time around and whether they can sit down and finally sort out a mega bucks title match.

While Wilder recently fought and defeated Dominic Breazeale, AJ has Andy Ruiz Jr to face on 1st June. You can find all of the latest odds on the fight here.

Summer of ‘17

Prior to the negotiations even starting, there was much hype of a potential match between Joshua and Wilder and when it was announced that talks had officially begun, fans became very excited. The prospect of one of the biggest fights of the century were soon cooled down when it was revealed that the two sides couldn’t agree to a deal.

Looking back at the negotiations, Joshua admits that both he and Wilder could have handled the situation better and that both were to blame for the failure of an agreement being reached.

Wilder was offered $12.5 million and $15 million during these talks, but it wasn’t enough to persuade the American to put his WBC heavyweight championship on the line.

Wilder’s confirmation

The Bronze Bomber recently confirmed that the fight between himself and Joshua will happen. In his post-fight interview, he said that although the fight might not happen right now, it will happen at some point in the future.

With obligations on both fighters to defend their titles, it makes it hard to negotiate a time and a place to fight, but Wilder’s belief that it will happen eventually gives us high hopes of seeing two of the greatest heavyweights in the current era battle each other for undisputed supremacy.

Wilder vs Fury II?

While talks between Joshua and Wilder might have ultimately failed, talks between Wilder and Tyson Fury were successful, and on 1 December 2018, the two met at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California.

Wilder’s WBC heavyweight championship was on the line during the fight, and in front of a crowd of nearly 18,000 people, the two battled to a 12-round split decision draw. As a result, Wilder retained his championship and the potential for a rematch between the pair.

They were originally due to have an immediate rematch, but after they agreed deals with rival American broadcasters, the rematch was delayed. It now looks set to take place next spring.

While a rematch between the two would be good, the fact that Wilder has confirmed the likelihood of a fight with Joshua has made the world sit up and take notice. We eagerly await the coming months and years to see if talks materialise and if, unlike the previous attempt, they can make this dream fight finally happen.

If you enjoy PWInsider.com you can check out the AD-FREE PWInsider Elite section, which features exclusive audio updates, news, our critically acclaimed podcasts, interviews and more by clicking here!

• Tweet