Boxing
Does Wilder clash make sense for Joshua amid Fury comeback trail?
Deontay Wilder's ambitions to reach the top of the heavyweight division have been reignited once again after his latest triumph.
'The Bronze Bomber' delivered the most crucial result of his latter-day career when he outpointed Derek Chisora on Saturday.
A narrow split-decision success at The O2 Arena did more than just upset plans for the Briton's valedictory lap in Greenwich.
It, on paper, has opened the door for Wilder to pursue the biggest prize fights once again, and with it the biggest purses to boot.
Wilder edges Chisora in entertaining slugfest
Watch fight highlights here
He wasted little time as he exited, stopping to call out the nearby Anthony Joshua, another titan of a golden glamour-division era.
Yet for all of Wilder's big hopes, there are perhaps more questions than answers left behind in his performance against Chisora.
Here, DAZN News explores just why a bout with 'AJ' is the natural fit for the star - and why it might also prove to be a bridge too far.
Does Wilder-Joshua make sense for both men?
For plenty of fans, a bout between two of the last decade's great heavyweights is one of the most obvious no-brainers out there.
Earlier this year, when the former was linked to a major clash with Oleksandr Usyk, the latter spoke about a sense of completion.
Of the four men that dominated the sport's upper echelons in the post-Klitschko era, Wilder was the last man left for the Ukrainian.
By that logic, Joshua remains on the table for the American too. Of his generation's vintage crop, he has only fought Tyson Fury.
Queensberry Promotions'AJ' too is running out of major dance partners. For years, 'The Gypsy King' has felt like the only cod in the cooker he truly wants.
Wilder's win over Chisora however has reaffirmed his credentials as both a credible opponent and a fitting draw at the top table.
Throw in the fact both men are no longer at the peak of their powers, and it could well be a case that they make suitable bedfellows.
Having helped sell out The O2 Arena with Chisora, Wilder would surely generate stadium interest for Joshua - and much revenue too.
What are the risks for Joshua?
At the same time, there's arguments to be made that this is the wrong opportunity for each star - and that the risks outweigh rewards.
Both Wilder and Joshua, on a public level, have made no secret of the fact they believe that they can challenge for world titles again.
The latter, now training with former rival-turned-teammate Usyk, has the backing of the unified champion to achieve just that as well.
Quite where those opportunities for Joshua will come given the Ukrainian has his own designs on a third undisputed run is one thing.
Richard Pelham/Getty Images
The other is the risk that any defeat now brings to his proposed super-bout with Fury. The pair were long expected to meet this summer.
Joshua's involvement in a fatal car accident shortly after his win over Jake Paul last December iced any immediate plans for a match.
But if both Fury - in his comeback with Arslanbek Makhmudov this weekend - and 'AJ' win their next bouts, then matters are surely on.
It makes any dance with Wilder a serious risk for the Briton - a bout where he could find his talents tested, but also possibly exposed.
What are the risks for Wilder?
Of course, conventional wisdom suggests it is more likely to be the other way round. The past five years have not been kind to Wilder.
He was tipped to turn over Joseph Parker, to get the better of Zhilei Zhang. His failure to do so cost him prime-to-twilight ring years.
The American has fought only once per calendar since 2021, and his wins in that period - save Chisora - are less-than-impressive.
Last weekend in London, he showed the flashes of power that turned him into one of the most feared men in the heavyweight division.
Richard Pelham/Getty Images
But he also failed to sink a stubborn opponent who seemed to visibly stun him on multiple occasions, despite his post-fight claims.
With no disrespect to Chisora, he is a man with two decades on the clock and who never quite managed to make it up to world-level.
Joshua may have minimal action under his belt in recent years too thanks to injury, assumptions are that he will be a class above.
If Wilder is serious about launching a title bid, his name is arguably big enough to court interest from those who holds the belts too.
Should that prove to be the case, then a clash with Joshua - no matter how lucrative it might be - opens up major risks to his chances.
Watch Wardley vs. Dubois only on DAZN
The WBO world heavyweight title is on the line for Fabio Wardley and Daniel Dubois on May 9, only on DAZN PPV. Buy as a one-off PPV or included, along with Usyk vs Verhoeven (May 23), with a DAZN Ultimate Tier subscription.
