Anthony Joshua vs Deontay Wilder - The Breakdown
After 5 long years of waiting and after both losing their titles it seems like the mega fight between Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder might be finally happening in Saudi Arabia next year. It’s been a long time coming and now it won’t be for the Undisputed Heavyweight titles but it is still a very intriguing fight. Let’s break it down.
Anthony Joshua comes into the fight on a two fight winning streak and as a former two time IBF, WBA and WBO world Heavyweight champion. He has 3 defeats on his records with one coming against Andy Ruiz which he avenged and the other two coming against the former Undisputed Cruiserweight champion and the current IBF, WBA and WBO Heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk. He lost both of the Usyk fights by points decisions and has since come back with a points win against Jermaine Franklin and a stoppage win against Robert Helenius which both occurred this year. Anthony Joshua also was a prestigious amateur despite having a short amateur career as he won gold at the 2012 Olympic Games for team GB. Joshua will enter the scheduled bout with adequate preparation as he has boxed 19 rounds in 2023.
Deontay Wilder also comes into the fight as a former champion but he only held the WBC belt and never unified or attempted to. He built up over 10 title defences before suffering his first loss against current WBC Heavyweight world champion and former IBF, WBA and WBO world Heavyweight champion Tyson Fury. Wilder notably had a controversial draw against Fury as well 2 years before he lost to him. Wilder was stopped against Fury and in their trilogy fight was dropped and stopped again after a very game effort. Wilder has made 1 comeback fight since the Fury defeats and it was in a 1 round knockout against former sparring partner Robert Helenius which happened in October of last year. Deontay Wilder also had a prestigious amateur career as he medalled in the 2008 Olympic Games for team USA although he attained a bronze rather than a gold. Wilder will enter the scheduled bout a large amount of inactivy with only 1 round in 27 months.
The matchup will most likely be a cagey one with AJ having a low work rate and Wilder looking to land his big right hand. The two will meet in the centre of the ring however Wilder will more than likely box on the back foot and look to counter Joshua when he makes a mistake or whenever Deontay sees and opening. Anthony will put the pressure on the Bronze Bomber in an educated manner using a high guard and feints to attempt to draw out Wilder’s offence in an attempt to capitalise on his lack of defensive responsibility. AJ will try and nullify Wilder’s bomb of a right hand just like he did with Helenius however Wilder will not be as gunshy with that punch and will most likely catch Joshua off guard multiple times throughout the fight. Joshua himself also has a massive one punch power however Joshua has more weapons to translate that power into as he can turn off the lights with hooks, uppercuts and straight shots. Wilder will have to be wary pulling out at angles like he tends to do when his back his against the ropes as we saw how AJ can take advantage of that in the Helenius fight. Wilder has the better chin of the two but he is the less technically sound. Joshua has the better defence and he has the better footwork as well.
In conclusion Joshua the better pure boxer with more consistent defence and offence however his new style of low output and his reluctance to pull the trigger early on will more than likely cost him against a relentless puncher in Wilder who has a sturdy chin and will power through AJ’s high guard. Joshua has more than a punchers chance in this fight however he will need to capitalise on the mistakes Wilder makes with more activity and maintain a perfect defence all night. If he switches off, Wilder’s monster right hand could end the night early. My prediction for the fight is Wilder by Stoppage however I would not be surprised if Wilder himself gets caught big or even if Joshua wins a points decision. It won’t be a super entertaining fight but it will be incredibly tense for as long as it lasts with both men having the potential to end it at any moment.