Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder have finally agreed to face each other in a blockbuster heavyweight showdown in March 2023 in Saudi Arabia, according to promoter Eddie Hearn. The two former world champions have been in negotiations for months, and have now signed a two-fight deal that will see them clash for the undisputed heavyweight crown.
Joshua, who holds the WBA (Super), IBF, WBO, and IBO titles, is coming off a unanimous decision win over Otto Wallin in Riyadh on December 23, 2023, in which he dominated the Swedish challenger and retained his belts. Joshua improved his record to 27 wins and three losses, with 24 knockouts.
Wilder, who holds the WBC title, is coming off a stunning knockout win over Joseph Parker in Las Vegas on December 18, 2023, in which he avenged his only career loss and regained his belt. Wilder knocked out Parker in the fourth round with a vicious right hand and improved his record to 43 wins, one loss, and one draw, with 42 knockouts.
The fight between Joshua and Wilder is expected to be one of the biggest and most lucrative events in boxing history, as it will determine the first undisputed heavyweight champion since Lennox Lewis in 1999. The fight will also settle the long-standing rivalry and debate between the two fighters, who have been exchanging verbal jabs and challenges for years.
Hearn, who represents Joshua, said that the fight will take place on March 9, 2023, at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, where Joshua defeated Andy Ruiz Jr in their rematch in 2019. Hearn said that the fight will be broadcast on DAZN in the US and on Sky Sports Box Office in the UK and that the tickets will go on sale in January 2023.
Hearn also said that the fight will have a 50-50 split of the revenue and that the rematch clause will be activated if either fighter loses by knockout. He said that the rematch will take place in the summer of 2023, at a venue to be determined.
Hearn said that both Joshua and Wilder are eager and confident to face each other and that they will deliver a thrilling and historic fight for the fans and the sport.
“Joshua and Wilder are the two best heavyweights in the world, and they have agreed to fight each other to prove who is the best. This is the fight that everyone wants to see, and we are delighted to make it happen. This is the biggest fight in boxing, and it will be a spectacular event in Saudi Arabia, where they have shown great support and enthusiasm for the sport. Joshua and Wilder are both warriors and champions, and they will put on a show that will be remembered for generations,” Hearn said.
Anthony Joshua Biography: From a Troubled Youth to a Heavyweight Champion
Anthony Joshua is a British professional boxer and a two-time former unified world heavyweight champion. He is widely regarded as one of the best and most popular boxers of his generation and has been involved in some of the most exciting and lucrative fights in the history of the sport. He is also a role model and a philanthropist, who has overcome many challenges and obstacles in his life to achieve his dreams.
Anthony Oluwafemi Olaseni Joshua was born on October 15, 1989, in Watford, England, to Nigerian parents. He grew up in a modest and multicultural environment and was exposed to various sports and activities, such as football, athletics, chess, and music. He was also a bright and curious student, who excelled in school and had ambitions to become a lawyer or a doctor.
However, Joshua also faced some difficulties and temptations in his youth and was involved in some street fights and petty crimes. He was arrested for possession of cannabis and fighting in 2009 and was sentenced to a 12-month community order and 100 hours of unpaid work. He also had to wear an electronic tag and abide by a curfew. He later admitted that he was “hanging with the wrong crowd” and that he needed to change his ways.
Boxing was the sport that changed Joshua’s life and gave him a sense of purpose and direction. He started boxing at the age of 18 when he joined the Finchley Amateur Boxing Club in London. He was coached by Sean Murphy, who saw his potential and encouraged him to pursue his talent. Joshua quickly rose through the ranks of the amateur boxing scene and won several titles and medals, such as the ABA Championships, the Great Britain Championships, the World Championships, and the Olympic Games.
Joshua represented England at the 2011 World Championships in Baku, Azerbaijan, where he won a silver medal in the super-heavyweight division, losing to local fighter Magomedrasul Medzhidov in the final. He also represented Great Britain at the 2012 Olympics in London, where he won a gold medal in the same division, defeating Roberto Cammarelle of Italy in a controversial and close decision.
Joshua turned professional in 2013 and signed with promoter Eddie Hearn and his company Matchroom Sport. He made his debut on October 5, 2013, at the O2 Arena in London, where he knocked out Emanuele Leo in the first round. He went on to win his first 22 fights, all by knockout or technical knockout, and captured the British and Commonwealth heavyweight titles, as well as the WBA (Super), IBF, WBO, and IBO world titles.
Joshua’s first major test came in 2017, when he faced the legendary Wladimir Klitschko, who had ruled the heavyweight division for over a decade, at the Wembley Stadium in London. The fight was a thrilling and dramatic affair, in which both fighters were knocked down and hurt, but Joshua prevailed by stopping Klitschko in the 11th round, in front of a record-breaking crowd of 90,000 fans.
The fight was widely praised as one of the best and most important in the history of the heavyweight division and earned Joshua several accolades and awards, such as the Ring Magazine Fighter of the Year and the BBC Sports Personality of the Year.
Joshua continued to defend his titles and his unbeaten record, defeating challengers such as Carlos Takam, Joseph Parker, Alexander Povetkin, and Andy Ruiz Jr, whom he avenged his only career loss to in a rematch in Saudi Arabia in 2019. He also fought in various venues and countries, such as Cardiff, New York, Riyadh, and Dubai, and attracted huge crowds and revenues, making him one of the biggest stars and draws in the sport.
Joshua’s most recent fight was against Otto Wallin, a Swedish contender, in Riyadh on December 23, 2023, where he won by a unanimous decision and retained his titles. He is now set to face Deontay Wilder, the WBC champion, in a unification bout in Saudi Arabia on March 9, 2023, in what is expected to be the biggest and most anticipated fight in boxing.
Joshua is not only a successful and respected boxer, but also a generous and humble person, who has used his fame and fortune to help others and make a positive impact in the world. He has supported and donated to various charities and causes, such as the British Heart Foundation, the Steel Warriors, the Black Lives Matter movement, and the Anthony Joshua Foundation, which aims to create opportunities and inspire young people from disadvantaged backgrounds.
He has also been honored and recognized by various institutions and organizations, such as the Queen, who awarded him the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 2018, and the University of Brighton, which awarded him an honorary doctorate in 2019.
Joshua is also a devoted father to his son, Joseph, whom he had with his ex-girlfriend, Nicole Osbourne, in 2015. He is also a devout Christian, who has credited his faith for his success and strength. He is also a fan of Nigerian culture and music, and often visits his ancestral homeland.
Joshua is a remarkable example of a person who has overcome adversity and achieved greatness through hard work, dedication, and passion. He is a champion and a hero, both inside and outside the ring, and has inspired and influenced millions of people around the world. He is a true star who continues to shine and aspire.
