Deontay Wilder Claims $50 Million Offer Was Made to Anthony Joshua – What Really Stopped the Fight?
For years, Deontay Wilder vs Anthony Joshua was considered the biggest heavyweight fight that never happened. Two champions, two massive punchers, and a clash that could have defined an era. Now, Wilder has once again spoken out, lifting the lid on just how close or how far the fight really was.
Speaking on the Cigar Talk podcast, Wilder claimed that his team previously offered Anthony Joshua a staggering $50 million to make the fight happen. According to Wilder, the money was real, the intent was genuine, and the door was wide open. Yet, despite the figures involved, the bout never materialised, leaving fans still debating who truly wanted it more.
Wilder has long maintained that he was willing to take risks Joshua was not. In his latest comments, he suggested the offer was designed to remove all excuses and prove his seriousness. From Wilder’s perspective, a $50 million payday should have been impossible to turn down, especially for a fight of that magnitude.
The former WBC heavyweight champion also addressed claims that negotiations failed because of financial splits. Wilder insisted he was flexible, even to his own detriment, if it meant finally getting Joshua into the ring.
“I Tried Everything” – Wilder on Joshua Talks
In another clip circulating from the same discussion, Wilder went even further. He claimed that he accepted a low percentage in negotiations and was willing to compromise far more than people realise.
“I tried everything. I even accepted a low percentage. They gave Joseph Parker 33%,” Wilder said, referencing Joshua’s 2018 fight with Parker.
That comparison is key to Wilder’s frustration. From his point of view, if Parker could secure that level of split, then a unification bout between Joshua and Wilder should have been even easier to finalise. Wilder has repeatedly suggested that the issue was never money on his end, but a lack of willingness from Joshua’s side to take the risk.
SHOP: Kickboxing Equipment
Joshua’s camp has historically told a different story, arguing that negotiations were more complex and that timing, broadcasters, and contractual obligations played a major role. Still, Wilder’s latest comments add fresh fuel to an argument that has never truly gone away.
What makes these revelations resurface now is the current state of the heavyweight division. Both fighters are no longer champions, both have suffered high-profile losses, and the landscape has shifted. Yet the demand for clarity remains. Fans want to know whether the fight was avoided, mishandled, or simply a victim of boxing politics.
While Wilder and Joshua may now be on different career paths, the unanswered questions surrounding their failed showdown continue to follow them. Wilder’s claim of a $50 million offer may not change the past, but it reinforces one thing: the most frustrating fights in boxing history often fall apart not because of ability, but because of negotiations that never truly align.
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