Anthony Joshua vs Deontay Wilder remains on the table after Shelly Finkel told World Boxing News he remains open to the fight.
After sitting ringside to watch his fighter Willy Hutchinson in a battle with Josh Buatsi that deserves a rematch, Finkel witnessed Joshua’s obliterated at the hands of Daniel Dubois. The same thing happened to Wilder, who Finkel co-manages, against Zhilei Zhang in June. Therefore, with both on the boss of losses, the fight can be reignited for some time in 2025.
Asked what he thought of Joshua’s defeat in which the Londoner was dropped four times, Finkel told WBN exclusively, “I agree with Anthony Joshua that he made some mistakes. He came in with his left hand too low and open for his right hand. He also came in open when he hurt Dubois, similar to what happened with Ruiz.”
On the chances of Joshua vs Wilder being increased, Finkel responded, “I agree that Anthony Joshua vs Deontay Wilder is still enormous.
“Many fans approached me about it as I walked back to my hotel. If there is still a demand from the public, then we will see what the future holds.”
Finkel previously informed WBN that Wilder has no plans to retire despite back-to-back losses in Saudi Arabia. In the wake of the Zhang capitulation, he stated that “at this point, Deontay Wilder has not retired.”
Wilder would jump at the chance to share the ring with Joshua having chased the encounter down for six years. WBN was at the forefront of talks in 2018 when Finkel consistently updated on the status of negotiations. According to the New Yorker, Joshua walked away to face his mandatory Alexander Povetkin when Wilder was on the brink of accepting lowball terms.
Ultimately, Wilder turned to Tyson Fury, as Joshua fought Povetkin and Andy Ruiz [twice]. Wilder vs. Fury will go down as a heavyweight trilogy for the ages, whereas Joshua lost some steam after being knocked out by Ruiz. Wilder also wasn’t helped by his second fight with Fury, which he made up for in a Fight of the Year third clash.
If they can agree on a fight for 2025, interest would be instantly spiked by two vulnerable knockout punchers meeting head-on, potentially in Saudi Arabia, London, or Las Vegas.
The fact they were unable to agree in 2018 and a 2023 fight subsequently collapsed makes it all the more frustrating that a meeting could open up when both ex-champions aim to get back in the win column.
Read all articles and exclusive interviews by Phil Jay. Learn more about the author, experienced boxing writer, and World Boxing News Editor since 2010. Follow on Twitter @PhilJWBN.
