Deontay Wilder reignited his long-standing rivalry with Anthony Joshua on Saturday night, delivering a blunt challenge moments after defeating Derek Chisora in London, ENigeria Newspaper has learnt.
Wilder secured a narrow split-decision victory over Chisora at the O2 Arena, with judges scoring the contest 115-111, 115-113 and 112-115 after a scrappy 12-round bout that saw the American record two knockdowns. The win immediately sparked speculation about his next opponent but Wilder made it clear who he wants.
As he left the ring, Wilder came face-to-face with Joshua in a brief but tense encounter captured on video, where he issued a direct three-word message: “Let’s do it.”
Speaking afterwards, the former heavyweight champion doubled down on his call-out, adding: “He’s scared as f**k. Let’s do it.”
The confrontation came on a significant night for Joshua, who was making his first public appearance since surviving a fatal car crash in Nigeria in December that claimed the lives of two of his close associates, as ENigeria Newspaper reported. The former two-time world champion had largely stayed out of the spotlight in the months following the incident.
Joshua arrived at the O2 Arena alongside promoter Eddie Hearn and was present to support Chisora in what marked the veteran’s 50th and final professional fight. Dressed in a white tracksuit, he kept a low profile as he made his way into the venue.
Despite their shared presence, there was no cordial exchange between the long-time rivals, with Wilder walking past Joshua without acknowledgment in a narrow corridor inside the arena.
During a brief interview ringside, Joshua expressed his support for Chisora, saying: “It amazing to be here. Boxing, especially British boxing, is booming. I’m obviously bias, I’m rocking with Derek regardless, so I’m Team Chisora.”
Wilder and Joshua were heavily linked to a blockbuster showdown during their peak years as world champions, but negotiations repeatedly fell through. While both fighters are now at a different stage in their careers, Saturday’s encounter has reignited talk of a long-awaited clash.
As of right now, Joshua is also being linked to a possible battle with fellow British fighter Tyson Fury, and Wilder might think about fighting Oleksandr Usyk or Fabio Wardley.
But if Wilder gets his way, he might finally face Joshua in the ring in the next phase of his career — a bout that has long eluded boxing fans.
