Former two-time world heavyweight champion Hasim Rahman has weighed in on the long-discussed potential clash between Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder. While the two heavyweights have seen their careers diverge recently, Rahman admitted that the version of Joshua active in 2026 likely holds the edge over the American powerhouse.
The assessment comes as Anthony Joshua prepares for his confirmed return to the ring on Saturday, July 25, 2026. The 36-year-old Briton is scheduled to face Albanian heavyweight Kristian Prenga in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in a bout broadcast via DAZN PPV.
Hasim Rahman assesses shifting dynamics in Joshua vs Wilder clash
Although Joshua has already agreed to a blockbuster encounter with Tyson Fury later this year, he must first successfully navigate the challenge posed by Prenga.
Hasim Rahman, the man who famously knocked out Lennox Lewis in 2001, told reporter Sean Zittel that he views the current momentum as favoring the British former champion. While he previously felt a trilogy between the two would result in a different winner every time, he now leans toward the 29-4 “AJ” due to their respective career trajectories.
Interestingly, this marks a shift from Rahman’s previous public stance on the matchup. On December 13, 2023, during an interview with ProBoxingFans, Rahman expressed deep skepticism that the fight would ever happen, comparing it to the never-realized Lennox Lewis versus Riddick Bowe rivalry. At the time, he stated plainly that he didn’t believe the fight would materialize, regardless of their immediate results.
Recent form and the impact of the Zhilei Zhang loss
Recent activity has played a major role in how analysts perceive the 40-year-old Deontay Wilder. The “Bronze Bomber,” who turns 41 this October, has struggled for consistency since his trilogies at the top of the division.
While he secured a split decision win over Derek Chisora at the O2 Arena in April 2026, his recent record also includes a punishing TKO loss to Zhilei Zhang in June 2024.
Comparatively, Anthony Joshua has experienced a rollercoaster of results but has remained highly active. Since 2023, Joshua has secured stoppages against Robert Helenius, Otto Wallin, and Francis Ngannou. Although he suffered a fifth-round knockout loss to Daniel Dubois in September 2024 at Wembley Stadium, he returned to winning ways by stopping Jake Paul in six rounds in December 2025.
The long history of missed heavyweight opportunities
The failure to stage Wilder vs Joshua when both held world titles remains a point of contention for boxing fans. During their peaks, Deontay Wilder defended his WBC strap against the likes of Luis Ortiz and Bermane Stiverne, while Joshua held the WBA, IBF, and WBO titles.
Instead of a unification, Wilder engaged in a dramatic draw with Tyson Fury in 2018, while Joshua was stunned by Andy Ruiz Jr. in 2019.
Negotiations have flickered occasionally since then. In March 2026, reports suggested Wilder had agreed to fight Joshua in Britain, potentially at Wembley Stadium or Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. However, an official announcement did not follow the expected two-week timeline. This pattern of delays mirrors previous boxing match delayed by contract talks that have plagued the heavyweight division for years.
The elusive undisputed championship bout
The prospect of an undisputed heavyweight clash between Wilder and Joshua, once a tantalizing possibility, never materialized. At the height of their powers, the boxing world eagerly anticipated a showdown that would crown a single, undisputed champion. But circumstances, including Joshua’s shocking loss to Andy Ruiz Jr. in 2019 and Wilder’s thrilling draw with Tyson Fury in 2018, consistently derailed those plans.
The WBC title, which Wilder held from 2015 to 2020, was a key piece in the puzzle. He successfully defended it with devasting knockouts against opponents like Luis Ortiz and Bermane Stiverne, showcasing the power that earned him the nickname “The Bronze Bomber.” Joshua, meanwhile, was dominating with his WBA (Super), IBF, and WBO titles, making the unification fight seem inevitable. However, the stars never aligned for the pair.
Fighters’ current form and future implications
Looking at their recent fight statistics provides a clear picture of their current trajectories. Anthony Joshua, with a record of 29 wins, 4 losses, and 0 draws (26 by knockout), boasts an impressive 90% knockout ratio. His average fight length is 5.2 rounds, indicating his decisive and aggressive fighting style.
Deontay Wilder, with 45 wins, 4 losses, and 1 draw (43 by knockout), holds an even higher 96% knockout ratio. However, his average fight length is shorter at 4 rounds. This suggests a boxer who relies heavily on early stoppages, a strategy that hasn’t always paid off in his most recent outings.
Anthony Joshua’s recent activity and resilience
Joshua’s professional career, spanning 33 total fights, has seen him regain his unified heavyweight titles after the Ruiz Jr. loss and consistently face top-tier competition. His victories against Otto Wallin by TKO in the 5th round in December 2023, and against Francis Ngannou by KO in the 2nd round in March 2024, demonstrate his continued threat in the division.
Even after his September 2024 knockout loss to Daniel Dubois for the IBF World Heavyweight championship, Joshua quickly rebounded. His December 2025 win against Jake Paul by KO in the 6th round at the Kaseya Center in Miami solidified his position among the heavyweight elite. Now, his focus is solely on Kristian Prenga, with the larger goal of a Tyson Fury fight looming.
Deontay Wilder’s recent struggles and ring rust
Wilder’s past five fights paint a more concerning picture for the American. While he secured wins against Robert Helenius by KO in the 1st round in October 2022 and Tyrrell Anthony Herndon by TKO in the 7th round in June 2025, his two significant losses came in December 2023 against Joseph Parker by unanimous decision, and against Zhilei Zhang by TKO in the 5th round in June 2024.
The loss to Parker, in particular, was a significant setback, disrupting plans for the long-awaited Joshua clash. His latest victory, a split decision against Derek Chisora in April 2026, while a win, wasn’t the dominant performance fans are accustomed to from “The Bronze Bomber.” He currently does not have a fight scheduled, and his negotiation for an encounter with Oleksandr Usyk remains in progress.
The enduring allure and future of the heavyweight division
The heavyweight division continues to captivate boxing fans globally, with its unpredictable outcomes and larger-than-life personalities. The whispers of a Joshua-Wilder fight, despite never fully materializing, have fueled countless debates and predictions, including Hasim Rahman’s latest take.
Both fighters remain significant draws, and their potential paths still intersect with other major figures in the sport. The confirmed clash between Anthony Joshua and Kristian Prenga in Riyadh is a crucial event, not just for Joshua’s career, but for the entire heavyweight landscape, as it could pave the way for a highly anticipated domestic mega-fight against Tyson Fury.
But the story of their careers is also a testament to the fickle nature of boxing. Fans and pundits alike have often been left wanting, as the biggest fights sometimes remain just out of reach. The “what if” factor surrounding Joshua vs. Wilder might just be a permanent part of their legacies. Now, with Rahman’s assessment, the focus shifts to whether Wilder can regain his destructive form, or if Joshua can maintain his resurgence as their paths continue to diverge and converge within the turbulent heavyweight division.
