Deontay Wilder has called out Anthony Joshua after his points victory over Derek Chisora, suggesting a future bout between the two heavyweights.
Wilder, 40, addressed Joshua directly, saying “let’s do it” at London’s O2 Arena on Saturday.
Wilder vs. Joshua: “Let’s Do It”
Two-time world heavyweight champion Joshua was present at ringside to support his friend Chisora. After his victory, Wilder walked past Joshua, fist-bumped him and said “let’s do it”, before reportedly saying “He’s scared” as he walked away. Wilder addressed the exchange later, stating, “It wasn’t a few words, I dapped it up with him and I said: ‘Now let’s get it on.'”
Wilder also proclaimed his readiness to face any heavyweight contender, stating: “I’m ready for whoever, long as these guys are in the heavyweight division, I am here. You can call me Mr Clean, because I want to clean up the whole division. The division is nothing without Deontay Wilder.”
Hearn Confirms Joshua’s Interest
Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, indicated Joshua’s willingness to accept the challenge. Hearn told DAZN pre-fight that they had been focused on making the Tyson Fury fight. However, Hearn added that Joshua mentioned that if Deontay Wilder wins in style, it opens a big fight with Anthony Joshua as well.
Asked about the post-fight exchange, Hearn told Fight Hub TV: “He said ‘let’s do it’, AJ sort of stared at him ice cold, but he would fight him no problem.”
Wilder’s Victory Over Chisora
Wilder’s victory over Chisora was a split decision, with scores of 115–111 and 115–113 in his favour, while one judge scored it 115–112 to Chisora. It marked the 45th win in 50 fights for Wilder. However, the source notes that he has been in decline since his trilogy of meetings with Fury. After a draw in the first bout in 2018, Wilder lost his WBC heavyweight title in the rematch in 2020 and then also lost the third fight.
A Joshua-Wilder bout had been scheduled for 2024 but the plans were scuppered when the American suffered a shock loss to Joseph Parker.
Joshua’s Recent Activity
Joshua last fought on 19 December, when he stopped YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul in the sixth round, improving his record to 29 wins and four defeats. Following that victory, Joshua expressed his readiness to face Tyson Fury next. Fury ended his latest spell of retirement in January when he announced he would be returning to fight Arslanbek Makhmudov in the UK on 11 April.
Joshua has largely remained out of the spotlight since he was a passenger in a car crash that killed two of his friends in Nigeria on 29 December. The 36-year-old sustained minor injuries in the crash that killed Sina Ghami and Latif ‘Latz’ Ayodele.
Wilder also said he may have a small fracture in his hand.
With Wilder’s victory over Chisora and his subsequent call-out of Joshua, the possibility of a future fight between the two boxing stars has been reignited.