Anthony Joshua has never been a man short of options when it comes to plotting his next move in the heavyweight division. Yet the news that the British superstar reportedly rejected four separate offers to face a bitter rival in his planned comeback fight has surprised many fans and boxing insiders alike.
According to sources close to Joshua’s camp, the former two-time world champion turned down multiple approaches to set up a blockbuster showdown with Deontay Wilder — a fight that has long been touted as one of the biggest and most explosive matchups in modern heavyweight boxing. Talks of a Joshua-Wilder clash have been swirling for years, with fans desperate to see two of the sport’s biggest punchers settle their rivalry in the ring.
Promoters on both sides had tried to revive the bout this year as Joshua plotted his return to the ring following a period of rebuilding his career after consecutive defeats to Oleksandr Usyk in 2021 and 2022. Since then, AJ has been carefully managing his comeback, picking fights that would rebuild his confidence and sharpen his skills under new trainers, while keeping him in contention for another shot at world honours.
Yet, despite the obvious appeal of finally settling scores with Wilder — who himself is looking for redemption after two punishing defeats to Tyson Fury — Joshua’s team appears to have felt the timing wasn’t right. Reports suggest that at least four firm proposals were tabled for a mega-fight with Wilder, but each was turned down for reasons ranging from purse disagreements to strategic considerations about AJ’s career trajectory.
Instead, Joshua is believed to be targeting a slightly less risky opponent for his next outing, with the ultimate goal of positioning himself for a title fight against either Tyson Fury or Oleksandr Usyk once again. Joshua’s camp has insisted that a fight with Wilder remains a possibility in the future — but only when the timing aligns with AJ’s ambitions to reclaim the heavyweight crown.
This cautious approach has drawn mixed reactions from the boxing world. Some pundits argue that Joshua is missing his chance to silence the doubters who claim he avoids high-risk bouts. Others defend his strategy, pointing out that the heavyweight scene is in flux, with Fury’s on-and-off retirement saga and Usyk’s unpredictable negotiations making it difficult to lock in big fights at the right moment.
Promoter Eddie Hearn has hinted that Joshua’s next fight could still be a significant step up, even if it’s not Wilder. Rumoured opponents include the likes of Zhilei Zhang or Filip Hrgovic — both dangerous contenders but not quite the marquee name Wilder is. Joshua’s team insists that keeping active and getting back to his explosive best is the priority before committing to the biggest risk-reward matchups.
Meanwhile, Deontay Wilder’s camp is said to be frustrated with the failed negotiations. Wilder, who was last seen in the ring suffering a surprise loss to Joseph Parker, has been pushing hard to reignite his career with a statement win — and few victories would make a louder statement than knocking out Joshua. The Bronze Bomber has been vocal about wanting the fight, recently saying he’d fight Joshua “in his backyard” if that’s what it takes.
For now, fans will have to wait to see if this long-anticipated clash ever materializes. With the heavyweight division in a constant state of upheaval, and stars like Fury, Usyk, Joshua, and Wilder all juggling legacy fights, retirements, and mega-money exhibitions, nothing can be ruled out.
One thing is certain: if and when Joshua and Wilder finally share the ring, it will be a box-office smash. Until then, Joshua’s decision to reject multiple offers shows that he is playing the long game — one that he hopes will restore him to the very top of the he
avyweight mountain.
