Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn has claimed that Anthony Joshua could fight Deontay Wilder before a blockbuster clash with Tyson Fury.
Former heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua is set for a return to the ring in the latter months of 2025, and a flurry of names are expectedly being thrown into the equation.
While a clash with the Gypsy King is undeniably what the British public want to see, by the time AJ returns to the ring he will likely have been out of action for a year. Not to mention the fact that Fury is supposedly retired and is yet to comment on a potential return.
Deontay Wilder has also been mooted as a potential opponent for Joshua, with Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn discussing the situation when speaking to Sky Sports.
Hearn said: "I know he's (Wilder) a name that's been mentioned.
There is a potential that AJ could fight Deontay Wilder in October, November, December and then fight Tyson Fury.
- Eddie Hearn, Sky Sports
“Then he's kind of got the full set in terms of every elite heavyweight of this generation, he's faced in the ring.”
While Hearn’s comments suggest that Joshua v Wilder is a strong possibility, the Bronze Bomber will no doubt be placing full focus on his upcoming fight, set to face Tyrrell Herndon at the Charles Koch Arena in Wichita, Kansas City, USA on Saturday 28th June, 2025.
Having boasted an impressive 42-0-1 record after defeating Luis Ortiz in 2019, the following years would prove the toughest of Wilder’s boxing career.
Back-to-back defeats to Fury to conclude the trilogy, an expected return victory over Robert Helenius, followed by respective losses against Joseph Parker and Zhilei Zhang, Wilder simply can’t afford to lose his next fight if he wishes to maintain his championship dream.
Wilder's co-manager Shelly Finkel also spoke to Sky Sports, adding: "First things first is Friday. If that goes well, we're open to discussing anything."
Related Articles
Boxing News
Eddie Hearn lays out Anthony Joshua plans with Tyson Fury double-header mooted ahead of retirement
Eddie Hearn has revealed that Anthony Joshua is making good progress in his post-surgery rehabilitation and is expecting to see the two-time heavyweight champion of the world back in action later this year ahead of a blockbuster 2026.
Mark Mothershaw
11 Jun 25
