Anthony Joshua vs Deontay Wilder: All we know including date and location as heavyweights agree deal for 2024 face-off
18/12/2023 16:59
A date for Anthony Joshua vs Deontay Wilder has reportedly been agreed, which will see the rivals fight in Saudi Arabia.
However, both men must first win their fights next weekend in order to confirm the long-awaited heavyweight showdown.
After the already-signed Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk undisputed clash had to be pushed back from December 23 to February 17 due to Fury’s tough ten-rounder with Francis Ngannou, boxing chiefs in Saudi Arabia decided to push ahead with a different show on that date.
Next weekend will now play host to Joshua vs Otto Wallin and Wilder vs Joseph Parker as part of a huge heavyweight card.
And should they both win, Joshua vs Wilder is on.
Here is all we know so far…
Anthony Joshua vs Deontay Wilder: Date and location
According to ESPN journalist Mike Coppinger, a deal is in place for the two main protagonists to meet on March 9 2024 in Saudi Arabia, so long as they both emerge victorious.
A location is not yet known but the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh would be a contender.
It’s a fight that has been a long time coming and would put one of these men on course for a heavyweight title bout later in the year.
Back when they first tried to agree a deal in 2018 and 2019, the pair were heavyweight world champions and would have met in an undisputed showdown.
Now, both have lost their titles, but the fight remains a massive attraction.
Representatives for Joshua and Wilder initially agreed terms over the summer for a fight in Saudi Arabia this December.
However, this fell through following a switch in the landscape of boxing in Saudi, with the new entity in charge headed up by His Excellency Turki Alalshikh instead prioritising Fury vs Usyk.
It was only once the undisputed fight was delayed that the opportunity opened up for AJ vs Wilder to join the party.
Now, it’s reported that the long-awaited showdown is finally agreed, with just the December 23 hurdles left to clear before it is officially finalised.
Anthony Joshua vs Denotay Wilder: Next fights
Both men do not have easy fights next week.
Joshua takes on a top contender in Wallin, who recently triumphed over Murat Gassiev and has only lost to Tyson Fury, severely cutting the ‘Gypsy King’ in the September 2019 showdown.
Wilder faces former world champion Parker, who was outpointed by AJ and also lost to Dillian Whyte and Joe Joyce.
Fans will be hoping to see both make it through unscathed to set up the March super fight.
If either man should lose, the bout would be off.
Anthony Joshua vs Deontay Wilder: What has been said?
Ahead of Joshua’s bout against Wallin, he has been speaking to Laura Woods for TNT Sports and was asked to describe Wilder.
He said: “Bronze. Not gold. Not silver. ‘You’re not gold’.”
In response, Wilder has suggested that many fighters have lost respect for Joshua.
Speaking ahead of his clash with Parker, he said: “AJ seems to have lost the respect he once had.
“Now, with a few losses under his belt, everyone sees him as beatable and doesn't hesitate to talk smack.
“That must be tough for him, going from widely respected to this. When I'm around him, I sense it.”
However, despite this dig, Wilder still wants AJ to beat Wallin so they can fight.
“I do wish AJ the best, though. Our fight has been a long time in the making, and it's what everyone's been asking about.
“There have been setbacks like them not accepting the $50M offer or offering me low fees. But eventually, the truth comes out.
“Now, AJ needs to get past Wallin and I need to defeat Parker. If we both come out safe from these fights, the big showdown can start."
