Anthony Joshua vs Deontay Wilder deal agreed with date reported, but both must first win next week

13/12/2023 23:21

Anthony Joshua vs Deontay Wilder is reportedly now finally agreed to take place on March 9 in Saudi Arabia.

However, both men must first win their fights next weekend in order to confirm the long-awaited heavyweight showdown.

AJ and Wilder will fight on the same card on December 23, then meet on March 9 if they win

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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.

According to ESPN journalist Mike Coppinger, a deal is in place for the two main protagonists to meet on March 9, so long as they both emerge victorious.

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.

Joshua and Wilder could have battled it out for all the marbles back in 2018, but the fight never came to fruition then

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.

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 9 super fight.