The biggest fight in boxing would be an undisputed heavyweight championship fight between titleholders Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder, and although the fight has not been made yet despite efforts from both sides, Joshua trainer/adviser Robert McCracken believes it will happen.
England’s Joshua (22-0, 21 KOs), in what will be his seventh title defense and his United States debut, is scheduled to defend his three major world title belts against contender Andy Ruiz Jr. (32-1, 21 KOs), who is getting his second title opportunity, on Saturday (DAZN, 9 p.m. ET) at Madison Square Garden in New York.
If Joshua prevails — and he is a heavy favorite to do so — McCracken said it is “only a matter of time” until the big showdown takes place.
“They’re both from the street. They’re both fighters. I think it’s only a matter of time,” McCracken told ESPN on Monday night. “Obviously, first things first with Andy Ruiz, who’s a really good fighter. Then Joshua-Wilder in the future is going to be a fantastic event for boxing. It’s gonna be great.”
McCracken, a former middleweight contender who is deeply involved in all of Joshua’s boxing and business decisions, said it is a fight he and Joshua both want.
“Boxing is about history and what you achieve. If you don’t fight the big names, then 10 years will go by and you won’t be remembered the way you want to be,” McCracken said. “So I think Wilder-AJ is a worldwide event. I think it’s a fantastic fight. Both big punchers. One a better boxer [Joshua], one maybe hits harder [Wilder]. It’s a fascinating fight.
“I think it will captivate the whole of the USA, the U.K. and most of the world. I think it would be a worldwide event. That’s what boxing is all about. When you start boxing, that’s what you box for — to go and fight in huge superfights, and that’s what AJ is about and he’ll look forward to that. I’m sure Wilder will as well.”
Wilder (41-0-1, 40 KOs) has said repeatedly that he also wants to fight Joshua, doing so again after he retained his title for the ninth time on May 18 in New York with a booming first-round knockout of Dominic Breazeale, who got knocked out in the seventh round when he challenged Joshua in 2016.