Moments after beating Derek Chisora by split decision on the O2 Arena, Wilder walked through the world floor and confronted Joshua face-to-face, turning a routine exit right into a direct challenge. The exchange was transient 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 with none 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 tough 12-round fight that left him marked up and respiratory heavy, while Joshua was present at ringside watching the important event unfold. There was no stage, no press conference, only a post-fight collision between two names who’ve circled one another for years without stepping into the ring together.
The callout lands in another way now than it will have a couple of years ago. Each fighters are further along of their careers, with recent results raising questions on where they fit at the highest 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 energetic within the conversation, nevertheless it didn’t settle anything. The fight was close, dirty, and at times difficult to attain, which makes a transparent next step more vital. Joshua represents the form of fight that doesn’t need explaining.
There was no immediate response from Joshua within the moment, and no agreement was reached. The exchange lasted seconds. The response around it should last more.
Wilder made his move in public. Now it sits with Joshua.