The heavyweight boxing landscape looks vastly different than it did when serious talks for a megafight between Tuscaloosa's Deontay Wilder and British power puncher Anthony Joshua began manifesting.

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Now, in 2023, the fight should finally happen. In many ways, it makes as much sense now as it did when both men were gearing up to fight prior to Wilder's first blockbuster with Tyson Fury.

Wilder's last fight was a badly needed win against Robert Helenius. He snapped a two-fight losing skid in the matchup. The Bronze Bomber reminded the combat sports world why he is one of the most feared fighters in the modern history of boxing with a first-round knockout. One of Tuscaloosa's finest athletes will want a big fight next, and Joshua has been on his radar before. This is that.

Joshua's career is now at a crossroads. Previously, he seemed lined up for one of the biggest fights in the history of the sport against Fury. The fight never happened, and despite late-2022 rumblings of the bout resurfacing, that didn't come to pass either. Joshua has lost two straight to Oleksandr Usyk and is without any titles to his name.

The drawing power of this fight is still significant. It remains to be seen what the major boxing commissions will do with the heavyweight stable with Fury's career in flux (he recently fought after ending a short retirement) and a unification fight between himself and Usyk potentially looming. In the meantime, why not match up two of the biggest names in the sport? It might even be for an interim belt if Fury really doesn't fight again or fight soon. Wilder does plan on fighting again.

It could be against Andy Ruiz- but Joshua is the bigger fight. Top Rank may find it of interest to make that happen.

Deontay Wilder's Most Devastating Knockouts

Tuscaloosa's own Deontay Wilder has certainly earned his nickname, "The Bronze Bomber," throughout his impressive career.

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