Deontay Wilder and Anthony Joshua have already done deal for 2024 fight
Deontay Wilder and Anthony Joshua have agreed to terms on fighting on March 9, should they both be victorious in their scheduled bouts in December.
Heavyweight boxers Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder have reached an agreement for a fight scheduled on March 9 in Saudi Arabia.
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A caveat in the agreement between the two former heavyweight champions is that they are slated to compete in separate matches before their scheduled match, and both must secure victories to ensure the fight remains intact. Joshua is set to face Otto Wallin on Dec. 23 in Saudi Arabia, while Wilder is set to square off against Joseph Parker on the same card.
According to ESPN, both fighters have agreed on the financial terms to facilitate the fight. However, a crucial condition stipulates that both Joshua and Wilder must not only emerge victorious but also leave the ring without sustaining injuries in their respective matches in Riyadh. It remains unclear if the fight will stay intact for a future date should either sustain an injury.
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Joshua's promoter, Eddie Hearn, revealed that scheduling the fights on the same night was a strategic move to generate anticipation for what he considers one of the most significant bouts in boxing."The reason that fight is happening with both on the same night is to prepare for and build a fight between the two," said Hearn on Thursday.
"So, the contracts aren't signed, talks continue. But everybody wants to make that fight. Everyone's saying, 'Well, why are you fighting a tough fight before Deontay Wilder?' That was the fight that was proposed to us from Saudi," he continued.
"Joshua's never turned down a fight. Wallin's been on our list for the last two fights. The only reason we haven't boxed him is because he's a southpaw. So, to fight a southpaw on six weeks notice with a new trainer not ideal, but [the Saudis] like the fight. They fancy the fight. Fingers crossed."
Throughout his career, Wilder has achieved a remarkable record of knocking out or knocking down every opponent he has faced in the ring. He aims to continue this trend in his upcoming match against Joseph Parker. Wilder's most recent knockout occurred in the first round, defeating Robert Helenius at the Barclays Center in October 2022.
Joshua is 26-3 with 23 knockouts, and his most recent fight occurred at the O2 Arena in London in August 2023, where he also faced Helenius. Joshua secured a knockout victory over the Finnish boxer, concluding the bout in the seventh round, nearly two minutes into the match.
Wilder holds a career record of 43-2-1 with 42 knockouts and has not appeared in the ring since knocking out Helenius in 2022. Wilder notably encountered two losses against Tyson Fury in 2020 and 2021.
Fury currently holds the prestigious titles of lineal and WBC heavyweight champion of the world. His most recent bout was against former UFC heavyweight Francis Ngannou, where Fury secured a victory through a split decision. Joshua and Hearn have openly expressed interest in a potential matchup against the former UFC champion.
