Wilder has no regrets over AJ fight 'that never was' as heavyweight blockbuster finally confirmed for December

Deontay Wilder has expressed no regrets about the failed negotiations for his fight with Anthony Joshua, stating that timing and circumstances simply never aligned for the bout that boxing fans have desperately wanted to see. The American heavyweight champion was speaking ahead of his own upcoming title defense, acknowledging that the sport's business realities often prevent the biggest fights from happening when fans expect them. "I've got no bad blood with AJ. The fight will happen when it's meant to happen," Wilder said. "People forget that these things take time. There are promoters, networks, and so many moving parts. We're both professionals and we'll both be ready when it finally comes." The proposed Joshua-Wilder bout has been discussed since 2021, with negotiations collapsing on multiple occasions due to financial disagreements and scheduling conflicts. Wilder believes the fight is now closer than ever following recent discussions between both camps, with December 14th emerging as the likely date at a yet-to-be-confirmed venue in the Middle East. Joshua's promoter Eddie Hearn has also confirmed that preliminary talks have been positive, suggesting that both fighters are committed to making the long-awaited bout a reality. Wilder remains confident that when the fight happens, it will be worth the wait: "This is the biggest fight in heavyweight boxing. When it finally goes down, everyone will understand why we waited."