‘Let’s do it’ – Wilder calls out Joshua after win
Wilder Extends Challenge to Joshua Post-Victory
Deontay Wilder claimed a split decision triumph over Derek Chisora in a highly competitive bout at London’s O2 Arena. Following the American’s decisive win, he directly invited Anthony Joshua to step into the ring, stating, “let’s do it.”
Anthony Joshua, the two-time world heavyweight champion, was present at the event to support his friend Derek Chisora, whose professional career is anticipated to conclude after this fight. Since a tragic car accident in Nigeria on December 29, which resulted in the deaths of two friends, Joshua has largely stayed out of the media spotlight. At 36, he suffered minor injuries in the crash that claimed Sina Ghami and Latif ‘Latz’ Ayodele. His most recent bout occurred on December 19, where he halted Jake Paul in the sixth round, elevating his record to 29 wins and four losses.
Post-fight, Joshua expressed his eagerness to face long-standing rival Tyson Fury, who recently resumed competition in January. Fury ended his break by announcing a return to challenge Arslanbek Makhmudov in the UK on April 11. Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, remarked before the event that their focus was on the Fury bout, though Wilder’s victory could open doors for a showdown with Anthony Joshua.
On Saturday, Wilder, 40, approached Joshua, exchanged a fist bump, and declared, “let’s do it,” before departing and muttering, “He’s scared.” Later, Wilder clarified the moment, saying: “It wasn’t just a few words; I greeted him and said, ‘Now let’s get it on.’” He added, “I’m ready for anyone in the heavyweight division. The division’s strength lies with me, and I aim to rejuvenate it.”
The split decision scores were 115–111 and 115–113 in favor of Wilder, while one judge scored it 115–112 for Chisora. This marked Wilder’s 45th win in 50 professional fights, signaling a comeback after a decline following his trilogy against Fury. The series, which began in 2018 with a draw, ended in 2020 with a title loss and a third defeat in 2022.
When asked about the encounter, Hearn told Fight Hub TV: “He said ‘let’s do it,’ and AJ gave him a cool stare, yet there’s no issue in agreeing to face him.”
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