Wilder Offers Support to Joshua After Personal Tragedy.

Former heavyweight world champion Deontay Wilder has offered words of support to
Anthony Joshua, urging the British-Nigerian boxer to “stay strong” following the death of
two of Joshua’s friends in December.
Wilder said the tragedy resonated deeply with him and stressed the sense of unity
within boxing. “In this boxing business we all are family. So from another brother to
another brother – stay encouraged, Anthony Joshua. Keep your head up. Stay prayed
up, bro, because you’ve still got life,” Wilder told BBC Sport.
The American, who faces Derek Chisora in London on April 4, said the news stirred
painful memories of losing his cousin in a car accident.
He added that while words may not immediately ease the pain, Joshua remains in his
thoughts and prayers.
Despite their long-standing rivalry, Wilder and Joshua never met in the ring after talks
for an undisputed title bout collapsed in 2018.
Wilder said he has no regrets but still believes a long-awaited fight could yet happen if
both remain active.
“If he is still in it and I am still in it, then of course, why not? We have to cross paths at
some point,” he told Sun Sport.
Wilder also opened up on his own struggles away from the ring, revealing he has
worked with therapists and sports psychologists.
“After two therapists and sports psychologists, here I am reinventing myself. I know I’m
back,” he said.