‘Let’s do it’ – Wilder calls out Joshua after win

Following a points win over Derek Chisora, Deontay Wilder extended an invitation to Anthony Joshua, declaring “let’s do it” during their post-fight encounter. The American’s victory, which occurred at London’s O2 Arena on Saturday, marked the potential resumption of a rivalry that has captivated boxing fans for years. Wilder, 40, was seen fist-bumping Joshua before departing with the remark, “He’s scared,” as the crowd watched the exchange unfold.

“It wasn’t just a few words, I dapped it up with him and I said ‘now let’s get it on,'” Wilder later clarified. “I’m ready for whoever, long as these guys are in the heavyweight division, I am here. You can call me Mr Clean, because I want to clean up the whole division. The division is nothing without Deontay Wilder.”

Joshua, 36, had been largely absent from public view since December, when a car crash in Nigeria claimed the lives of two friends. Despite minor injuries, he remained focused on his career, having last competed on 19 December against Jake Paul, a YouTuber-turned-boxer. The victory improved Joshua’s record to 29 wins and four losses, with his next target already set on Tyson Fury. Fury, who ended his retirement in January, is scheduled to face Arslanbek Makhmudov in the UK on 11 April.

The split decision awarded Wilder with scores of 115–111 and 115–113, while one judge scored it 115–112 in favor of Chisora. This was Wilder’s 45th win in his 50th professional bout, though his recent performances have shown signs of decline. The trilogy of fights with Fury, which began in 2018 with a draw, culminated in Wilder losing his WBC heavyweight title in 2020 and the third contest. A Joshua-Wilder match had been planned for 2024, but it was canceled after Wilder’s unexpected loss to Joseph Parker.

Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, shared insights about the interaction, stating: “He said ‘let’s do it’, AJ sort of stared at him ice cold, but he would fight him no problem.” The moment captured the renewed anticipation for a potential showdown between the two legends of the sport.

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