Former unified heavyweight world champion Anthony Joshua assured that his fight against ex-WBC champ Deontay Wilder will be for the year 2023, despite the speculation that was established about it. Apparently, there will be a shot between the two heavyweights.
In a recent interview with British GQ, Joshua opened up about his confrontation with Wilder, which will be his last step to a new World title opportunity. The Briton dated it, unofficially, for the next year.
“Everything that is missing in the negotiation will be done in the future,” said. Joshua, “In the past, it didn’t happen. This fight will definitely happen. We are in the same era, and the fight has to happen.”
Furthermore, AJ spilled the beans about plans for the next year. The former WBA (Super), WBO, IBF, and IBO titleholder has a great need to return to the top of the division before he can think about his professional retirement.
“2023 is coming, which will be a great year for my boxing. We are all at the top of the division. That fight will definitely happen. He (Wilder) will bring a lot of light to the heavyweight division,” he added.
Eddie Hearn comments on Anthony Joshua vs. Deontay Wilder
AJ’s promoter Eddie Hearn knows his next plans for Joshua, and is very confident in his power. The Matchroom Sport chief wants to see him defeat the “Bronze Bomber”, which he sees as the final step towards a new world title fight.
“Our offer to Deontay Wilder will be clear,” said Hearn, “Here is an amount of money. If we have to work with cross networks, we have no problem doing so. AJ is exclusive to DAZN, so we could set up a dual stream, or look at deals.”
Last month, Wilder’s manager Shelly Finkel also revealed that the American is looking to lock horns against AJ, although he’s supposed to face Andy Ruiz Jr up next for the eliminator.
“Deontay is willing to fight Anthony Joshua next,” Finkel told World Boxing News in an exclusive interview, “We would take that fight in the UK or the Middle East, and we will do it next. We have the WBC eliminator with Ruiz, and we will do that, but we want the Joshua fight. Eddie Hearn said he contacted me in August, but we had the [Robert] Helenius fight.”
