Nigerian-born heavyweight star Anthony Joshua could be edging closer to a dramatic return to the ring, with talks intensifying over a potential showdown with Deontay Wilder as a prelude to a long-anticipated clash with Tyson Fury later this year.
The possibility of Joshua facing Wilder gained traction after the American, fresh off a hard-fought win over Derek Chisora at London’s O2 Arena, publicly called him out.
Shouting “Let’s do it,” Wilder reignited a rivalry that has lingered for years without ever materializing inside the ring.
While Joshua has yet to respond directly, his promoter Eddie Hearn has shown strong interest in making the fight happen.
Hearn views the bout as the perfect warm-up for Joshua, who is still recovering physically and mentally from the December accident that sidelined him and tragically claimed the lives of two of his close associates.
According to Hearn, the plan is clear: get Joshua back into competitive shape with a high-stakes fight against Wilder before stepping into the ring for a blockbuster December showdown with Fury — a fight widely regarded as one of the biggest possible matchups in modern heavyweight boxing.
The proposed Wilder clash carries its own weight. Both fighters were once on a collision course in 2018 when they dominated the heavyweight division, but the fight never happened.
Now, years later, the opportunity has resurfaced — and it could finally deliver one of boxing’s most demanded contests.
For Joshua, this is more than just a return. It is a chance to reassert himself at the top of the division, rebuild momentum, and set the stage for what could be a defining end to the year.
If confirmed, a Joshua vs Wilder bout would not only serve as a thrilling comeback fight but also as the perfect launchpad toward the ultimate prize — a long-awaited battle with Fury that could shape the legacy of this generation of heavyweights.
