Wilder vs. Joshua: Finally a Heavyweight Matchup Worth Getting Excited About

The answer depends on when fans came of age.

Those in their 50s will hear the phrase “big heavyweight fight” and instantly recall 1970s images of Muhammad Ali, Joe Frazier and George Foreman. Those a decade younger might ponder early-1990s matches involving Evander Holyfield and Riddick Bowe.

And those who claim membership in the millennial generation can look back on a wild night in Memphis when the fading legend of Mike Tyson intersected with the ascending one of Lennox Lewis.

But what all might agree on is there’s not been much to move the interest needle since.

While the Ukrainian-reared Klitschko brothers were marvels of modern-day physicality, neither Vitali nor Wladimir ever engaged the sort of foe who’d guarantee the meeting would transcend time.

SERGEI SUPINSKY/Getty Images

And when it comes to the space-filling likes of Nicolay Valuev, Samuel Peter and Sultan Ibragimov, don’t even bother.

Still, after 14 years of robotic dominance and alphabet mediocrity, there may finally be room for hope.

Not only are there two young, strong, unbeaten heavyweights capable of drawing a crowd and generating an ovation alone, but they seem interested in getting together at some point, too.

Ladies and gentlemen, we give you Deontay Wilder and Anthony Joshua.

Or, if you prefer, the next big heavyweight fight that’s worth paying attention to.

“It’s exciting times for the heavyweight division,” said Wilder, the WBC champion, on a Wednesday conference call talking up his May 21 bout with top-ranked contender Alexander Povetkin in Moscow. “If (Joshua) keeps doing what he’s doing, eventually we’re going to see each other in the ring.”

It’s a tantalizing prospect that the Englishman has expressed some interest in as well.

The 26-year-old joined the title-holding set with a quick blowout of IBF stand-in Charles Martin last month in London, then took a step toward advancing his brand last week by inking a deal with Showtime that’ll ensure the network carries his next several fights to a fertile U.S. audience.

And when it was his turn to chat on his own conference call, Wilder’s name was at the top of his mind.

“He's the heavyweight champion of the world who's defended his belt on multiple occasions,” Joshua said. “So I have to give him credit as the strong force of the division right now because he's the only other champion who has defended his belt.”

Bebeto Matthews/Associated Press

The fight itself promises a clash of gargantuan proportions.

At 6’7” with the wingspan of a pterodactyl, Wilder has become the knockout poster boy of the big-boy division with 35 stoppages in 36 fights since turning pro after striking bronze at the 2008 Olympic Games.

And while his pre-fight shtick reminds exactly no one of a vintage Cassius Clay, he’s been comfortable enough in front of a mic to hold his own on the way to the showdown in Povetkin’s backyard.

“I’m all about making history. Ali didn’t even do this before,” he said. “I’m all about putting my name on something and setting a tone. My job is to go over there, get in the ring and whip his ass.”

Meanwhile, Joshua is no slouch at 6’6”, and he’s allowed just one of 16 opponents, previously unbeaten Jamaican Dillian Whyte, to last beyond nine minutes since winning gold at the 2012 Games.

And perhaps the most lasting takeaway of his April 9 obliteration of Martin at the O2 Arena was how at-ease he looked in a spotlight that included 20,000 raucous fans and live international television.

“I’m humble. All the hype is good for everyone in boxing,” he said, via the Guardian. “They’ve been calling me out since last year. I’m going to keep grinding, keep working. When I step into the ring, I’ll be ready.”

Of course, it won’t happen immediately.

Wilder’s no cinch to handle Povetkin in Russia. And Joshua, though he’s a prohibitive favorite, still has to get past another unbeaten 6’7” obstacle—ex-college football player Dominic Breazeale—on June 25.

Another fight or two for each man is likely even beyond those dates, but the superfight’s build-up will be identifiable as they begin including each other’s names in their standard post-fight call-out spiels.

And by the time summer 2017 arrives, today’s generation will have its own epic to look back on.

Unless otherwise noted, all quotes were obtained firsthand.