Anthony Joshua's path to Deontay Wilder showdown emerges with key date outlined
Heavyweight duo Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder have been linked with a blockbuster fight for years, and the pair could meet next year as a historic final eliminator emerges
Anthony Joshua could set up a blockbuster fight with heavyweight rival Deontay Wilder in the biggest final eliminator the sport of boxing has ever seen. The Brit is set to fight Otto Wallin while Wilder will clash with Joseph Parker on Dec. 23 - but the duo could finally meet if they both come away with wins.
Related articles
Joshua and Wilder are set to compete on the same card, and a pair of wins would put them on a collision course as the No. 1 and No. 2-ranked WBC contenders. However, they won’t fight with the title on the line.
The WBC belt will be contested, along with the IBF, WBA and WBO titles, in the anticipated Tyson Fury-Oleksandr Usyk clash which will determine an undisputed world heavyweight champion on Feb. 17. There is expected to a rematch too, which means other contenders will have to wait until the end of 2024 to get their shot.
WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman insisted his boxing governing body has been committed to establishing an undisputed champion in the heavyweight division. However, the event next month could eventually produce the mandatory challenger for the WBC heavyweight title held by Fury.
Follow us on X for the best and latest in sports news
“In itself it is a natural WBC elimination tournament,” Sulaiman told Sky Sports. “You have Wilder, No 1, Joshua, you have Parker, you have Otto Wallin, all those are highly ranked in the WBC. After December 23 we're going to see a different picture in the rankings.
“It looks like Wilder and Joshua are on a collision course. That could very well be a final elimination to determine a mandatory contender for the WBC title.”
Joshua needs to defeat Wallin before facing Wilder, who can only set up the blockbuster clash should the American defeat Parker. The two former champions would then meet to determine the challenger to face the winner of Fury and Usyk’s prospective saga.
If it comes to fruition, it would be one of the most high-profile final eliminators boxing has ever seen. Sulaiman added: “Unbelievable. That would be a dream come true for the fans.
“I am very happy to see the promoters collaborating, the managers, the fighters. Of course there's big money involved but you have to make it.”
Joshua last fought in August, securing a seventh-round knockout win over Robert Helenius for his 34th professional victory. Meanwhile, Wilder bounced back from successive losses to Fury by knocking out the Finn himself in the first round of their October 2022 fight - the last time the Bronze Bomber entered the ring.
