Anthony Joshua has been criticised by boxing fans for welcoming a potential fight against Deontay Wilder in 2025.

The heavyweight rivals have been linked with a potential super fight against one another for much of the past decade, but it has consistently failed to materialise.

Joshua and Wilder have been linked with a fight against one another for many years but it’s never happenedCredit: Mark Robinson / Matchroom Boxing

Wilder became WBC heavyweight world champion in 2015, with AJ following with the IBF belt a year later.

Between 2017 and 2019 there were many attempts to stage a unification bout between them, however all such negotiations ultimately failed.

Some fans placed the blame at the American’s door, while others accused Joshua of swerving the contest.

In the end they never met as unbeaten champions and were dethroned by Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury.

Regardless, a plan emerged last year to finally match the pair in Saudi Arabia.

They both fought on the same show in December with the aim being to set up a showdown for 2024, which was finally signed and agreed to take place.

While AJ fulfilled his side of the bargain by beating Otto Wallin, Wilder suffered a shock decision loss to Joseph Parker and the plan was derailed.

In an attempt to get things back on track, Wilder was given a second chance in Saudi against Zhilei Zhang.

Again though, he looked a shadow of his former self and was this time brutally KO’d.

Many expect this is the end of Wilder, but he is yet to make any official statement on a possible retirement.

AJ is in great form of late, scoring four straight wins since his defeats to UsykCredit: Mark Robinson/Matchroom

Wilder meanwhile has just one win in almost five yearsCredit: Mark Robinson/Matchroom

“The fight could still happen,” Joshua told DAZN in a new interview, “For me, why not?

“I’ve always said it’s not a big deal for me, it is what it is.

“I get paid to fight. I used to fight for free, a lot. Now I get paid to fight so it’s no problem.

“Strip away the bright lights and the trash talk, it’s only a fight.

“So yeah I’d fight Wilder.”

These comments have divided opinion.

While some fans admitted they do want to see the grudge finally settled once and for all, others now have no desire to watch it and have taken aim at Joshua for trying to fight Wilder at his weakest.

One fan reacted: “Ran away many years ago but now he can’t take a shot calls him out. Not a good look.”

While a second said: “No need, if he beats him they will say he beat a finished Wilder even though Wilder is still the same and just got exposed after he stepped up the level of opponent he fights.”

A third fan put: “Yeah now he would after Wilder looks less than average.”

And a fourth commented: “Nobody wants to see that anymore.”

A fifth fan wrote: “He’s so whack for this.”

While a sixth said: “Oh so now you want to fight Wilder? Shameless ffs.”

A seventh fan reacted: “Only wants the fight now Wilder is spent. Typical AJ.”

And an eighth concluded: “He’s up for it now while wilder is washed to s***.”