Overview

• Manager Shelly Finkel told BoxNation that Deontay Wilder’s first choice is Anthony Joshua and said Wilder is training for a return at the end of 2025 or early 2026.
• Finkel described a potential Wilder–Joshua fight as enormous and suggested it could sell out Wembley with the right undercard.
• Joshua has not fought since his September 2024 knockout loss to Daniel Dubois and is expected to launch a comeback in early 2026 after elbow surgery.
• Multiple efforts to make Joshua vs Wilder in 2017–2019 and a 2023 Saudi proposal fell through over terms and timing, leaving the rivalry unresolved.
• Joshua’s camp is weighing options for his return, including offers to fight in Nigeria or Ghana and possible opponents such as Martin Bakole, Efe Ajagba and other names he has been linked with.