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Anthony Joshua missed ‘mad money’ fight with knockout star as promoter reveals his big regret

Originally posted on Bloody Elbow | By Ross Markey | Last updated Oct 18, 2025 7:14 AM ET

Anthony Joshua may be in for a sizable return to the ring before too long, but it seems he still missed out on another lucrative outing.

Expected to make his return to boxing in the coming months, former two-time world heavyweight titleholder Anthony Joshua received a new update on his future recently, in a surprising move.

And constantly drawing ties to a pairing with fellow British star Tyson Fury, Joshua’s chances of taking on the Morecambe native in an overdue clash also took a notable hit earlier this week.

However, according to his long-time promoter, Joshua had agreed to a “mad money” fight with another heavyweight from a prior generation, whom he claimed backed out of the clash.

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Anthony Joshua missed out on lucrative Deontay Wilder clash

Another pairing Watford star Joshua has been forever linked to is a showdown with former WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder.

But according to Matchroom Boxing leader Eddie Hearn, it is not for lack of trying that the Brit has so far failed to secure a fight with the knockout star.

Even tied to a clash at the turn of the year, according to Hearn, “mad money” was tabled to Wilder in order to book a pairing with Joshua — in what the Dagenham native describes as the biggest fight he failed to broker.

“(Anthony) Joshua [versus] (Deontay) Wilder,” Hearn told IFL TV when asked about the biggest fight he failed to make. “We threw mad money at Wilder to take that fight. Al Haymon, everybody — DAZN, and we couldn’t get it over the line.

“…I don’t think the fighter ever ducks the fight,” Hearn continued. “I just think we didn’t get on — mainly Haymon. Our offer for that fight was huge.”

Deontay Wilder reveals date for boxing return

And still tied to a showdown with Joshua in his return to the ring, former world champion Wilder has been linked heavily with another cross-over pairing against an ex-UFC kingpin, too.

However, expected to take one more warm-up fight before potentially one final foray for a world championship, Wilder recently addressed his immediate future in the ring.

Snapping a two-fight skid earlier this summer, Wilder’s comeback to combat seems to line up with the impending comeback of Olympic hero Joshua, too.

This article first appeared on Bloody Elbow and was syndicated with permission.

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