Eddie Hearn Announces New Date for Anthony Joshua and Deontay versus Wilder Grudge Match Put on Hold

Joshua vs Wilder Showdown Delayed until Next Year

The highly-anticipated grudge match between Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder has been pushed back once again. The former heavyweight champions were set to settle their long-standing feud in a lucrative clash in Saudi Arabia this December. However, promoter Eddie Hearn has now revealed that the multi-million-pound melee is expected to take place in January 2024.

Fury vs Usyk Unlikely to Share the Same Card

Originally, Saudi boxing officials had hoped to schedule Tyson Fury's undisputed title fight against Oleksandr Usyk on the same night as Joshua vs Wilder. However, Hearn doubts that will happen, as Fury is apparently planning a controversial crossover bout with former UFC champion Francis Ngannou in October. Hearn added that Ngannou's fight would not be so demanding that he couldn't participate in the January clash with Wilder.

Negotiations on Hold until After Joshua's Rematch with Whyte

Hearn admitted that negotiations for the Joshua-Wilder fight are temporarily on hold until after Joshua's rematch with Dillian Whyte. Hearn explained that the finalization of the Wilder fight is contingent on the outcome of the August 12th bout. According to Hearn, Joshua wanted a real challenge and was not motivated to take an easier fight. The Wilder fight will depend on Joshua's victory at the O2 Arena in August.

"AJ wanted a real fight, he wasn't motivated to take a lesser, smaller fight," Joshua commented on his upcoming rematch with Whyte. "But the Wilder fight will be dependent on victory at the O2 Arena on August 12."