Anthony Joshua confirms plan to battle Deontay Wilder in December

Anthony Joshua has confirmed that he plans to battle Deontay Wilder in December after a lot hypothesis that the duo would face off. The 33-year-old returned to successful methods with a factors victory over Jermaine Franklin at the beginning of the month and is now eyeing up one other American opponent subsequent. 

Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn had flown to Saudi Arabia this week to type out the small print of his subsequent battle and the British fighter has now appeared to substantiate his opponent will likely be Wilder.

“That’s what’s happening,” Joshua informed Kay Physical when requested if a Wilder battle was on the playing cards. “It’s public news, we’re throwing it down in December.”

Joshua is again in type after overcoming two disappointing defeats to Oleksandr Usyk by overcoming Franklin in a unanimous factors resolution at the beginning of the month. 

Wilder is in a tricky place having not fought since his personal comeback win in opposition to Robert Helenius final October. The 37-year-old had simply come off the again of two defeats to Tyson Fury at that time however bought again to successful methods emphatic type with a first-round knockout. 

Wilder has beforehand described Joshua as his dream battle and he appears set to get his want. 

“We got a lot of different options right now at this moment in time. Joshua, everybody,” he informed IFL. “I think a lot of people is going to get that dream fight everyone wants to see.” 

There has been hypothesis that Joshua and Wilder’s bout may type a part of a four-way match in Saudi Arabia with Fury and Usyk additionally going through off on the identical night time. The heavyweight duo have been locked in talks over a title battle earlier this yr nonetheless it fell via after no settlement was discovered. 

However, Hearn believes that it may nonetheless be potential with Fury utilizing a mooted battle in opposition to Andy Ruiz in July as a ‘warm-up’. 

“It’s realistic because Saudi Arabia means business and we’ve done deals there before, easily and frequently,” Hearn informed the Lightweight Boxing Show when requested if a match was potential.

“There’s no negotiations [already] but I fly there next week to start those negotiations. Subject to the deal, which has never been a problem with them [Saudi Arabia], AJ will fight Deontay Wilder or Tyson Fury – no problem at all. They need all four fighters on board to make it happen. I’m sure Usyk will do it, I know Deontay Wilder will do it.

“Tyson Fury will suppose he holds the important thing to it. He’s going to battle Andy Ruiz Jr I imagine in July, a good warm-up battle for him.”

It stays to be seen whether or not or not a match will find yourself happening but it surely appears more and more sure that Joshua and Wilder will likely be going toe-to-toe earlier than the top of the yr.