Joshua vs Wilder – The next BIG boxing spectacle is expected to be the Deontay Wilder vs Anthony Joshua world heavyweight title unification bout. March saw both men clear hurdles and win fights, leaving the possibility of seeing the match-up in 2018 wide open.
How big will it be? The heavyweight titles have not been unified in this century and we could see it happen in 2018 if all the stars align themselves correctly. The fight could go down in Las Vegas or the fight could be held in London’s Wembley Stadium. New York’s Barclay’s Center or Madison Square Garden might be on the list as well, but it is safe to say they won’t do this fight in Alabama or at the Copper Box.
The bookies are paying attention to the potential location as they have issued a pair of odds for the potential fight.
Joshua vs Wilder Odds
Heavyweight 12 rounds
must take place in UK by Dec 31st 2018 for action
Deontay Wilder +140
Anthony Joshua -180
must take place in USA by Dec 31st 2018 for action
Deontay Wilder +110
Anthony Joshua -150
Recently, the news broke that Joshua (26-0) and his promoter Eddie Hearn are considering a mandatory challenge from Russia’s Alexander Povetkin. Povetkin knocked out Britain’s David Price on the undercard of Joshua’s fight with Joseph Parker this past March.
One thing is for certain. The aging Povetkin was once considered among the most dangerous men in the division, but he is nearing 40 and his best days are behind him. Hearn and Joshua have to feel they can beat the former gold medal Olympian, or else they would be looking elsewhere for opponents.
Joshua and Povetkin could conceivably fight in July or thereabouts which would leave the December timeframe as a potential date for Joshua vs Wilder.
Wilder (40-0) needs the fight to happen as soon as possible. If Joshua takes a summer date against Povetkin, Wilder will likely wait until December and not stay active. That is contrary to what the WBC champ Wilder has done his whole career, but at this point he is looking to land the biggest payday possible and that means Joshua.
Every fight Joshua has now is a big payday for him, and Povetkin in the summer would pay very well for the IBF, WBA and WBO world titlist.
The wait until December might suit the fight fine, as a year of build-up around the fight would give it a chance at being a crossover box-office attraction. Wilder could fight a marginal, low risk contender in the mean time, but his advisors will probably advise against that. The fight with Joshua is Wilder’s biggest payday option.
But there might be another opponent looming for Joshua that would ice Wilder until 2019 or beyond. Wilder, as the undefeated WBC champion means title unification for Joshua and that would normally be equated to the biggest payday possible. But by December, undefeated former champion Tyson Fury should be ring ready, and that could be scary for Wilder. Wilder could invite Fury to be the next challenger for the WBC and grab a hefty payday of his own, but that would be risky.
One thing that is not clear. Is Joshua vs Wilder or Joshua vs Fury the bigger fight? The answer to that question could also be the answer to which fight we will see in 2018.
Joshua vs Wilder / Check out more boxing news and features at The Sweet Science.
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