Wilder Calls Out Joshua, Shaking Up Boxing Heavyweight Division

Deontay Wilder called out Anthony Joshua face-to-face Saturday night after beating Derek Chisora by split decision at The O2 in London, throwing the Boxing Heavyweight Division into fresh chaos. Both men were fighting in the 50th bout of their respective careers, and Wilder wasted no time targeting Joshua as fight No. 51.

Joshua was ringside watching when Wilder walked past him post-fight and reportedly told him, “let’s get it on” — then told the media “he’s scared”. Whether that reads as genuine trash talk or calculated promotion, the heavyweight landscape just got a lot more interesting.

How the Wilder-Chisora Fight Unfolded at The O2

Deontay Wilder defeated Derek Chisora via split decision on Saturday, April 5, 2026, at The O2 Arena in London — a result that keeps the Alabama heavyweight relevant at the top of the division. The fight marked the 50th professional outing for both men, a rare numerical coincidence that added a layer of storyline to an already compelling matchup.

Chisora, the durable British veteran, pushed Wilder through the rounds — as he tends to do against anyone. “War” Derek never makes it clean. But Wilder’s power and movement were enough to take the decision on two of three scorecards. The split nature of the result means the debate about Wilder’s current level won’t die quietly.

Breaking down the advanced metrics on Wilder’s recent performances, his punch output has never been his calling card — it’s always been the right hand. Against Chisora, that threat alone forces opponents to fight cautiously, which shapes the entire tactical picture. That’s the kind of intangible that doesn’t show up cleanly on a scorecard.

Wilder vs. Joshua: What Would This Fight Mean for the Heavyweight Title Landscape?

A Wilder-Joshua bout would be one of the biggest Boxing Heavyweight Division matchups of the decade. Both men carry enormous name recognition globally — Wilder as the former WBC heavyweight champion with one of the most feared right hands in history, Joshua as a two-time unified heavyweight titlist who has held the IBF, WBA, and WBO belts. Neither currently holds a major belt, which actually makes the fight easier to negotiate — no mandatory challengers, no sanctioning body politics blocking the path.

Joshua has been rebuilding his career after back-to-back losses to Oleksandr Usyk, while Wilder is doing the same following his trilogy with Tyson Fury. A fight between them now carries a different energy than it would have in 2018 or 2019, when both were at the peak of their powers. Some analysts would argue that’s a reason to dismiss it. The counter view: two proven elite heavyweights, both hungry, both with something to prove — that’s still a compelling fight regardless of timing.

Moses Itauma also surfaced as a potential target for Wilder post-fight, with the former champion indicating he’d be open to facing the highly touted British prospect. That’s a significant detail — Itauma is widely regarded as one of the most exciting young heavyweights in world boxing, and Wilder calling his name suggests he’s not just chasing the big-money Joshua bout.

Key Developments From Saturday Night’s Card

• Wilder’s win over Chisora came via split decision, meaning at least one judge scored the fight for the British veteran — a sign the contest was genuinely competitive.
• The bout was the 50th professional fight for both Wilder and Chisora simultaneously, an unusual milestone alignment across two separate careers.
• Wilder publicly named Moses Itauma as a potential opponent, alongside Joshua, when asked about his next move after the Chisora victory.
• Anthony Joshua was present ringside at The O2 on the night, making the post-fight exchange between him and Wilder a live, in-arena moment rather than a social media back-and-forth.
• The event was held at The O2 in London, the same venue that has hosted multiple major heavyweight fights over the past decade, cementing its status as a premier British boxing arena.

What Comes Next in the Boxing Heavyweight Division?

Wilder’s team will now likely pursue either the Joshua bout or the Itauma fight, with the former carrying far greater commercial weight and the latter offering a chance to position Wilder as a gatekeeper-level test for the next generation. Based on available data from how promoters have handled similar situations, the Joshua fight is the one that gets made if both camps can agree on money — and that’s always the variable.

Joshua, for his part, has been linked to several potential opponents as he attempts to rebuild toward another world title shot. A Wilder fight would be a high-risk, high-reward detour — exciting for the heavyweight division as a spectacle, but potentially derailing another title run if it goes wrong. His promoter Eddie Hearn at Matchroom Boxing has historically been methodical about opponent selection during Joshua’s rebuild phases.

Separately, Caroline Dubois vs. Terri Harper and Ellie Scotney vs. Mayelli Flores are scheduled for Sunday on Sky Sports from 7pm, keeping British boxing‘s momentum going across weight classes. The broader British boxing scene is clearly healthy — The O2 packed for a heavyweight card, elite women’s bouts on the same weekend, and now a potential Wilder-Joshua negotiation brewing in the background.