The much-anticipated clash between Deontay Wilder and Anthony Joshua appears to be on the horizon, and it's gaining momentum, even without championship titles on the line.
While the former heavyweight world champions have long been on a collision course, it's Saudi Arabia's newfound interest and substantial financial backing that have paved the way for this epic battle to become a reality.
With both fighters now seemingly committed to the bout, the boxing world eagerly awaits their showdown, despite the absence of championship belts. Many anticipate the winner will go on to challenge the victor of the Tyson Fury vs. Oleksandr Usyk four-belt showdown. However, there are skeptics among the fans who doubt this straightforward path to boxing glory.
In an exclusive interview with ES News, former undisputed heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis made a confident prediction, throwing his support behind Deontay Wilder for the win.
Lewis stated, "Joshua against Wilder? Definitely Wilder. Wilder’s got that killer instinct, and I've seen it every time he throws that right hand. He's not just throwing it; he's trying to inflict damage with it. He throws it with sheer intent."
This interview took place in September 2022, and since then, both fighters have had a couple of matches under their belts. Wilder, known for his devastating punching power, secured a remarkable one-round knockout against Robert Helenius. In contrast, Joshua faced Jermaine Franklin and then Helenius, winning both matches by decision, the latter in seven rounds.
While it's likely that Lewis' prediction remains unchanged given their recent performances, questions linger regarding Wilder's inactivity and whether he'll go straight into a battle with Joshua. Many aspects of this matchup are still up in the air.
Representatives from Saudi Arabia's boxing arm were in London to witness Joshua's latest victory, further fueling anticipation for the fight. As of now, the bout is expected to be officially signed for early 2024. Initially slated for December of the current year, the proposed date has already been pushed back to January, and there are emerging reports suggesting that March might be the more realistic target. The road to this epic showdown is rife with excitement and uncertainty.