The representatives of Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder are discussing a potential two-fight series in 2024. The first fight between Joshua and Wilder is planned for March, 2024, but that will be a quick turnaround because both fighters have separate bouts this weekend.
The heavyweight fighters’ representatives will continue to talk about two potential fights for 2024, while the fighters focus on Saturday’s matches between Otto Wallin(26-1, 14KOs) vs Anthony Joshua(26-3, 23KOs) and Deontay Wilder(43-2-1, 42KOs) vs Joseph Parker(33-3, 23KOs). Wilder’s manager, Shelly Finkel, affirmed that no deal has been finalized yet.
“Things can move very quickly. To lock in a fighters’ plans for 10 to 12 months is a really good position for him, especially if it comes with the lucrativeness of a Wilder fight in the Middle East. So two fights is definitely being discussed,” said Eddie Hearn Joshua’s promoter in media reports.
“March is probably the time we can strike for that mega-fight obviously for the financial rewards that you’d look for for a fight with that kind of risk and danger. I think there’s a lot of things that need to happen. Of course they both need to win. They both need to come out unscathed really. If there are any niggles or any injuries or any cuts, it’s very difficult to go back into a March fight,” he added.
If Joshua defeats Wallin, he will be eligible to contend for the IBF heavyweight belt, which will probably become open following the February fight between Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury.
The winner of Fury and Usyk’s bout would not be eligible to face mandatory challenger Filip Hrgovic since they are anticipated to rematch later in 2024 hence it might be required of the Joshua-Wallin winner to face Hrgovic for the open title.
“It’s a toss up really between trying to become a three-time world heavyweight champion or taking arguably the biggest fight in boxing which is what he’s always been about,” said Hearn addressing Joshua.
“Although he wants to become a three-time heavyweight champion, the lure and the excitement of the Deontay Wilder fight is very difficult to ignore,” he added.
