Deontay Wilder has his sights set on a colossal heavyweight bout with Anthony Joshua, just not this year.
The former WBC world champion confirmed that he’s interested in finally stepping into the ring with the British star in 2026, as he prepares for a major comeback this summer.
Speaking to 78SPORTSTV, Wilder was clear about his intentions:
“Not this year for sure, but in the near future. Maybe sometime next year,” he said. “I’ve just got to get myself back together first and foremost, and I have got to prove to myself that I am back together like I feel.”
The Alabama-born powerhouse hasn’t fought since a tough defeat to Zhilei Zhang in June 2024, and has been recovering from long-standing shoulder issues that he says caused chronic pain for five years.
But now, Wilder’s return is officially locked in. He’ll face Tyrrell Herndon in June, a matchup he believes is ideal to shake off the rust and measure his comeback potential.
“I like the opponent selection,” Wilder explained. “The main goal is to get back out there and get things back together to see where I am. With all the things that have happened to me over the past few years, I think it’s a great selection.”
Wilder also revealed he’s aiming for a three-fight year, with the next bout likely taking place overseas before a third by the end of 2025.
Despite the setbacks and surgery recoveries, Wilder says the dream hasn’t changed: becoming undisputed heavyweight champion. “We are still on a mission,” he emphasized. “I was supposed to have achieved all these things a long time ago if I had the opportunities that others did.”
His comments hint at a deep frustration over missed chances, possibly referencing his historic rivalry with Tyson Fury, which left Wilder with two defeats and a draw between 2018 and 2021.
“I’ve been on a journey with healing my shoulders. Anybody who knows about shoulder injuries will know that it is one of the longest processes that there is,” he said. “But at this moment in time, I am pain-free.”
That health update is major for fans who’ve followed his career closely. Wilder’s thunderous knockout power has always made him a fan favorite, but back-to-back losses, inactivity, and injuries have cast doubts over whether he could still contend at the elite level.
The proposed Deontay Wilder vs Anthony Joshua fight has been boxing’s “what if” fantasy for years. Talks have surfaced and collapsed repeatedly since 2018, with promotional politics, title priorities, and timing constantly derailing the matchup.
But 2026 might finally be the year. Joshua has been rebuilding his own legacy following defeats to Oleksandr Usyk and is reportedly open to high-profile fights in the next 12–18 months, especially as the heavyweight division enters a new era of realignment.
For now, Wilder knows the focus has to stay on the road ahead, not just his rival across the Atlantic.
“I’ve got to take it one fight at a time. I’m not rushing anything, but that [Joshua fight] is definitely on the radar,” he said.
Stay tuned for Wilder’s official fight date with Herndon, and updates on whether boxing fans will finally get the explosive showdown they’ve been waiting nearly a decade for.
- Deontay Wilder Calls Out Anthony Joshua for 2026 Showdown - April 5, 2025
- “Unpredictability Is Coming”: John Cena Breaks Silence on Heel Turn With The Rock - April 4, 2025
- Kevin De Bruyne to Leave Manchester City at End of Season - April 4, 2025
