Joshua and Wilder Set for Separate Bouts on Saudi Card, Teasing Potential 2024 Showdown
Former heavyweight champions Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder are reportedly on the brink of agreeing to individual fights on the same card in Saudi Arabia on December 23rd. While a head-to-head clash between the two has eluded fans for years, this move could be a strategic step toward a much-anticipated super fight in 2024. Negotiations for a Joshua-Wilder bout in 2023 fell through, leading to this new approach. Originally slated for Tyson Fury vs. Oleksandr Usyk, December 23rd now seems to be earmarked for separate matchups involving Joshua and Wilder. This development fuels speculation that a showdown between the two could be in the cards for the following year. The delay in Fury vs. Usyk has contributed to this reshuffling, with Fury's near-loss to Francis Ngannou prompting a postponement. While opponents for Joshua and Wilder are yet to be officially confirmed, there are strong indications that Joshua might face Otto Wallin, a former Fury opponent, while Wilder could square off against former world heavyweight champion Joseph Parker. Additional reports suggest the return of WBA light heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol and the comeback of British heavyweight Daniel Dubois, marking his return since the knockout defeat against Usyk. Wilder, absent from the ring for over a year since his dominant victory over Robert Helenius in October 2022, could use this opportunity to make a resounding comeback. Joshua, on the other hand, eyes his third bout of the year, having secured a unanimous decision against Jermaine Franklin in April and a knockout victory over Helenius in August. With both fighters preparing for separate challenges, the Saudi card sets the stage for potential fireworks and paves the way for the much-anticipated clash between Joshua and Wilder in the near future.x
