Things are starting to happen at the top of the heavyweight division as a huge card approaches on December 23 featuring Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder – just not against one another.
It plays out in Saudi Arabia and will see Wilder fight Joseph Parker, Daniel Dubois versus Jarrell Miller and Joshua versus Otto Wallin amongst several other big fights.
Wilder is stepping into the ring after a long layoff since beating Robert Helenius with a first-round knockout back in October 2022, which itself was his first fight since the second of two losses in his Tyson Fury trilogy in October 2021.
Joshua against Wallin meanwhile will be the Brit’s third fight this year and the hope is that, should he and Wilder both come through their tests, the pair can meet in the ring next after many years of back and forth.
The chances of that were given a huge boost recently when the WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman suggested that fight could be to decide a mandatory challenger.
Speaking on The Last Stand, Wilder was asked what needs to happen in their next fights for him to finally fight Joshua and he remained open to it no matter the outcome.
Whilst he said he would fight the Brit ‘win lose or draw’, he does expect him to beat Wallin.
“It may even happen win, lose or draw. Of course, if we win it makes it that bit more interesting and better on paper. I think he’s gonna win, I’m definitely gonna win.”
He then expressed his desire to meet Joshua but cautioned he has to take care of his own business first.
“We can finally get this fight on once and for all, that is the plan. I’m looking forward to doing what I have to do on December 23, that’s my main focus right now.”
For many months this year Wilder was also linked with former Joshua foe, Andy Ruiz, but has now said the Mexican-American is ‘on the shelf’ and out of the picture.
