Deontay Wilder issues challenge to Anthony Joshua following victory
Deontay Wilder wasted no time issuing a challenge to Anthony Joshua at the O2 Arena on Saturday evening, moments after securing a split decision victory over Derek Chisora, reports BritPanorama.
The American heavyweight, now 40 years of age, approached Joshua as he departed the venue, delivering a pointed message. “Let’s do it!” Wilder declared to the British fighter, before adding, “He’s scared as f**k. Let’s do it.”
Joshua offered no verbal response to the provocation, instead fixing Wilder with what observers described as an ice-cold stare whilst walking alongside his team towards the dressing room.
Standing beside Joshua throughout the exchange was his promoter Eddie Hearn, who had been watching the evening’s action from the crowd. When Boxing King Media inquired whether he would consider making the Wilder bout, Hearn’s response proved rather telling.
The Matchroom boss simply shrugged his shoulders while gesturing in Joshua’s direction, a reaction that appeared to indicate the decision ultimately lies with his fighter. Notably, Hearn made no attempt to dismiss the prospect of such a contest; his measured response suggested neither enthusiasm nor reluctance, leaving the door firmly ajar for what would represent one of heavyweight boxing’s most anticipated encounters.
Once tensions had subsided, Hearn elaborated on the confrontation in a separate interview with Fight Hub TV. “He said, ‘Let’s do it’. AJ just sort of stared at him, ice-cold. But he could fight him, no problem,” the promoter confirmed. Hearn also assessed Wilder’s performance against Chisora, acknowledging the American had exceeded expectations.
“I thought he looked better. Listen, Chisora’s not easy. He’s a tough man. He’s not an easy guy to beat,” Hearn remarked. He added: “I wasn’t impressed with Wilder, but I was more impressed than I thought, if that makes sense.”
Saturday’s appearance marked Joshua’s first public outing since tragedy struck in late December. The 36-year-old was a passenger in a car crash in Nigeria on 29 December that claimed the lives of two close friends and associates, Sina Ghami and Latif Ayodele. Joshua himself sustained only minor injuries in the incident.
His most recent bout came on 19 December, when he dispatched YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul in the sixth round, improving his record to 29 victories against four defeats. The prospect of a Wilder-Joshua clash has tantalised boxing enthusiasts since 2018, when both men held world titles and remained unbeaten. However, promotional disputes and network complications prevented the fight from materialising during that golden window.
With the heavyweight landscape shifting yet again, the renewed sparks between Wilder and Joshua serve as a reminder of how swiftly rivalries can reignite and excite fans longing for high-stakes bouts.
