2025 Boxing Shock: Anthony Joshua Expresses Desire to Face Deontay Wilder, But ‘Edo Man’ Coldly Dismisses AJ to Pursue Ngannou

In a stunning turn of events in the boxing world, Anthony Joshua, the former unified heavyweight champion, has publicly expressed a desire to finally face longtime rival Deontay Wilder. However, instead of meeting Joshua’s renewed challenge, Wilder—often referred to as the “Edo Man” for his Nigerian roots—has shown little interest, instead turning his attention to a potential money-spinning bout against Francis Ngannou, the former UFC heavyweight champion now fighting in boxing. The decision has sent shockwaves through the boxing community and left fans wondering if the long-awaited Joshua vs. Wilder showdown will ever materialize.

Anthony Joshua calls out Deontay Wilder for long-awaited clash

In a recent interview, Anthony Joshua reaffirmed his desire to fight Deontay Wilder, a bout that fans have been craving for nearly a decade. Speaking candidly, Joshua said, “It’s a fight that should’ve happened years ago. But it’s still a fight the world wants. Let’s finally give the fans what they’ve been waiting for.” Joshua, who has seen a resurgence in 2025 after a string of wins, believes the timing is perfect.

With both fighters now in the later stages of their careers, Joshua vs. Wilder is seen as a legacy-defining matchup. Not only would it settle the score between two of the most dominant heavyweights of their generation, but it would also determine who truly stands tall in the post-Klitschko era of heavyweight boxing. Joshua, at age 35, appears focused and sharper than ever, having recently scored victories over contenders like Otto Wallin and Zhilei Zhang.

But while Joshua is eager to seal the deal, the response from Wilder has been anything but enthusiastic.

Wilder turns cold on AJ: “Ngannou is the fight to make”

Rather than entertain a clash with Joshua, Deontay Wilder has made it clear that his eyes are now on Francis Ngannou, the Cameroon-born MMA icon who shocked the world with his impressive boxing debut against Tyson Fury in 2023. Speaking on a podcast appearance earlier this month, Wilder stated, “I respect AJ, but that fight is old news. Right now, Ngannou is the name. That’s the fight the world’s talking about. That’s the money fight.”

This comment has sparked backlash from boxing purists, who argue that Ngannou, despite his marketability, lacks the pedigree of Joshua in the ring. Still, from Wilder’s perspective, Ngannou offers a high-reward, lower-risk opportunity with significant crossover appeal.

Wilder vs. Ngannou is already being hyped as the ultimate power-punching showdown between two of the hardest hitters in combat sports. And with the potential of African stadiums or Saudi venues hosting the clash, the financial incentives are astronomical. Wilder, known for his shrewd business instincts, sees the writing on the wall.

Yet for many, his decision to brush off Joshua in favor of Ngannou feels like a dodged challenge rather than a bold pivot.

Joshua’s frustrations and fan disappointment grow louder

Following Wilder’s dismissal, Anthony Joshua didn’t mince words. “I’ve been patient. I’ve stayed in the sport, taken the hard fights, rebuilt myself,” he told reporters. “Wilder had his chances and keeps looking the other way. It’s becoming clear he doesn’t want the smoke.”

For fans, the frustration is palpable. Joshua vs. Wilder was once the most anticipated fight in boxing. At their peaks—when Joshua held the WBA, IBF, and WBO titles and Wilder reigned as WBC king—the two appeared destined to collide. Negotiations in 2018 fell apart amid accusations, ego clashes, and promotional barriers.

Now, with both fighters beltless but still marketable, many saw 2025 as the final window to make the fight. However, with Wilder publicly leaning toward Ngannou, it may now be slipping away for good.

Social media has exploded with criticism, with many boxing fans accusing Wilder of “ducking” Joshua. Hashtags like #AJvsWilderNow and #WilderDodgingAJ have trended in recent days, highlighting the growing public outcry.

Ngannou: A wildcard disrupting the boxing landscape

At the center of the storm is Francis Ngannou, whose shocking knockdown of Tyson Fury in 2023 instantly turned him into a major player in boxing. Though he ultimately lost on the scorecards, Ngannou’s power and composure earned him widespread respect—and a legion of fans.

Since then, Ngannou has become a prize every major heavyweight wants to land. He represents a lucrative payday, global appeal, and a stylistic challenge few have faced. He has also stayed active, with rumored talks of fights against names like Andy Ruiz Jr., Joseph Parker, and now Deontay Wilder.

Ngannou has yet to comment directly on Wilder’s call-out, but insiders suggest he’s intrigued. A bout between the two would be a clash of alpha predators, and with African heritage uniting them, it could be a massive event in Nigeria, Cameroon, or Saudi Arabia.

Still, critics argue that Ngannou, with only a couple of boxing matches under his belt, hasn’t earned a shot at names like Wilder or Joshua. For them, his rise is emblematic of boxing’s shift toward spectacle over sport.

Will Joshua and Wilder ever fight? The clock is ticking

As it stands, the possibility of Anthony Joshua vs. Deontay Wilder grows dimmer with each passing day. With Wilder eyeing Ngannou and Joshua pursuing his own path to redemption, the window for their fight may be closing forever.

Promoters have weighed in, with Eddie Hearn admitting, “I’m gutted. We wanted the Wilder fight. But we won’t wait forever. AJ is ready to move forward, with or without him.”

Some fans still hold out hope that public pressure and media scrutiny will push Wilder back to the negotiating table. After all, the narrative, the history, and the stakes make it a can’t-miss event. But Wilder’s recent behavior indicates he may be more interested in commercial ventures than legacy bouts.

Legacy at stake: Who needs the fight more?

From a legacy perspective, it could be argued that Deontay Wilder needs this fight more than Anthony Joshua. Joshua has fought and beaten a broader range of elite opponents—Wladimir Klitschko, Alexander Povetkin, Andy Ruiz Jr., and Joseph Parker among them. His resume, while not perfect, is deep and battle-tested.

Wilder, by contrast, has primarily feasted on lesser opposition, with Tyson Fury being his lone elite-level rival—and a man who beat him twice. A win over Joshua could redefine Wilder’s legacy and erase doubts about his resume.

For Joshua, the fight offers closure and the chance to prove he was always the better man. For Wilder, it’s a shot at redemption and validation. And for the fans, it’s the culmination of a narrative that’s spanned nearly a decade.

But if the fight doesn’t happen, it could haunt both men’s careers.

What’s next for Joshua and Wilder?

With Wilder seemingly committed to pursuing Francis Ngannou, Anthony Joshua now faces an uncertain but intriguing future. He could pivot toward a rematch with Andy Ruiz Jr., who recently returned to action, or challenge rising stars like Filip Hrgović or Daniel Dubois.

Meanwhile, Wilder and Ngannou appear to be circling one another, with major promoters already expressing interest in making the fight happen in late 2025. Whether in the Middle East or Africa, the bout promises fireworks—but at what cost to the sport’s credibility?

Until contracts are signed, boxing remains in a holding pattern. And as the 2025 heavyweight landscape takes shape, the fate of Joshua vs. Wilder remains one of boxing’s greatest unanswered questions.