Moments after beating Derek Chisora by split decision at the O2 Arena, Wilder walked through the arena floor and confronted Joshua face-to-face, turning a routine exit into a direct challenge. The exchange was brief but clear, with Wilder accusing Joshua of avoiding him and calling for the fight on the spot.
“Let’s do it. He’s scared as f***,” Wilder said as he passed Joshua, making his position public without any build-up or mediation.
🗣️ “He’s scared as f***. Let’s do it” 😳
Deontay Wilder clashes with Anthony Joshua!#ChisoraWilder pic.twitter.com/rHS3wP3gtK
— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) April 4, 2026
The timing gave the moment weight. Wilder had just come through a hard 12-round fight that left him marked up and breathing heavy, while Joshua was present at ringside watching the main event unfold. There was no stage, no press conference, just a post-fight collision between two names who have circled each other for years without getting into the ring together.
The callout lands differently now than it would have a few years ago. Both fighters are further along in their careers, with recent results raising questions about where they fit at the top of the heavyweight picture. That has not reduced the interest. If anything, it has made the fight easier to make, with fewer belts and fewer moving parts tied to it.
Wilder’s win over Chisora keeps him active in the conversation, but it did not settle anything. The fight was close, dirty, and at times difficult to score, which makes a clear next step more important. Joshua represents the kind of fight that does not need explaining.
There was no immediate response from Joshua in the moment, and no agreement was reached. The exchange lasted seconds. The reaction around it will last longer.
Wilder made his move in public. Now it sits with Joshua.
Read the full article here