Before Deontay Wilder hangs up the gloves, Mike Tyson – along with many fans – want to see one long-awaited grudge match.

Following back-to-back losses to Tyson Fury, many thought the hard-hitting American had quietly retired, but a first-round blowout of Robert Helenius a year later put him back in the picture.

Defeats to Joseph Parker and Zhilei Zhang followed, however, and Wilder looked far from his best self during both. Talk of retirement resurfaced, and a seventh-round victory over little-known Tyrell Herndon twelve months after the Zhang loss didn’t do much to inspire fans.

Earlier this year, Wilder fought in the UK for the second time, beating Derek Chisora in a rare points win. Showing heart, grit and confidence, he has bought himself another run at the top.

The 40-year-old former WBC champion has since been linked with Oleksandr Usyk and, more recently, Jai Opetaia and Rico Verhoeven.

‘Iron’ Mike Tyson, however, still remains hopeful that a fight against Anthony Joshua can be made, as he told DJ Whoo Kidd when discussing the Brit’s upcoming clash with Fury.

“Tyson’s always been known to handle pressure well, but it’s going to be interesting to watch this fight. I know Joshua’s going to be throwing faster punches, but his punches can’t be faster than Deontay Wilder’s.

“I wanna see him [Joshua] fight Deontay.”

The Joshua-Wilder rivalry stands as one of the sport’s most high-profile missed opportunities.

At its peak in 2018, the two undefeated champions held all four major sanctioning body belts between them, but repeated negotiations for an undisputed clash routinely collapsed amid bitter disputes over purse splits and broadcast alignments.

Both camps spent years trading public blame. Ultimately, their paths split as Wilder entered his gruelling trilogy with Fury and Joshua eventually surrendered his unified crown to Usyk.

The long-awaited bout came agonizingly close to materialising in late 2023 under the financial backing of Saudi Arabian organizers.

Both men agreed to terms for a lucrative March showdown, provided they navigated their respective co-headline assignments on the ‘Day of Reckoning’ card in Riyadh.

While Joshua held up his end of the agreement by dismantling Otto Wallin, Wilder suffered his wide decision defeat to Parker.

Now, the pair, while both still active, will have tough assignments before any fight can be discussed.

Jaime Munguia intends to put his ordered title defense against Bektemir Melikuziev on hold until next year, insisting he requires a dedicated training camp while gearing up to face Nikita Zon on October 31.

The WBA super middleweight champion remains focused on competing on the Canelo Alvarez vs. Christian Mbilli undercard in Riyadh. Still, wanting to delay Melikuziev until 2027 raises major concerns regarding whether sanctioning officials will let him keep the belt while taking an unapproved interim contest.

The WBA previously noted that the Munguia vs. Zon matchup had not received sanctioning approval, adding that officials would review the matter while keeping Melikuziev in position as the mandatory challenger. Munguia gave no indication during the interview that he secured an exemption or official sign-off to delay the mandatory.

Instead, the titlist pointed to the compressed schedule as the reason he cannot face Melikuziev right away.

“Proper training camp and other things. But we have a short time for that fight,” Munguia told The Ring. “I think next year it’s going to be a good fight.”

Wanting a complete camp for an opponent like Melikuziev makes sense on paper. Shifting focus from one challenger to a heavy-handed mandatory creates complications, especially on shortened notice.

Still, personal preference does not erase championship duties. Melikuziev locked in his mandatory status through official channels. Forcing him to sit on the sidelines while Munguia takes another bout requires formal sanctioning body consent, not just the champion deciding a later date suits him better.

When the interviewer floated a schedule featuring Melikuziev in May and Hamzah Sheeraz in September, Munguia welcomed the Sheeraz option. Neither date, however, represents a signed agreement.

For now, Munguia is guaranteeing an explosive finish against Zon.

“It’s going to be a good fight, and it’s going to be a knockout,” Munguia said.

A stoppage win in Riyadh could generate a highlight reel moment on a major international stage. It will not resolve the uncertainty surrounding his strap. Until the WBA formally rules on the matter, Munguia is laying out a calendar he desires rather than one he is authorized to carry out.

Jaime Munguia intends to put his ordered title defense against Bektemir Melikuziev on hold until next year, insisting he requires a dedicated training camp while gearing up to face Nikita Zon on October 31.

The WBA super middleweight champion remains focused on competing on the Canelo Alvarez vs. Christian Mbilli undercard in Riyadh. Still, wanting to delay Melikuziev until 2027 raises major concerns regarding whether sanctioning officials will let him keep the belt while taking an unapproved interim contest.

The WBA previously noted that the Munguia vs. Zon matchup had not received sanctioning approval, adding that officials would review the matter while keeping Melikuziev in position as the mandatory challenger. Munguia gave no indication during the interview that he secured an exemption or official sign-off to delay the mandatory.

Instead, the titlist pointed to the compressed schedule as the reason he cannot face Melikuziev right away.

“Proper training camp and other things. But we have a short time for that fight,” Munguia told The Ring. “I think next year it’s going to be a good fight.”

Wanting a complete camp for an opponent like Melikuziev makes sense on paper. Shifting focus from one challenger to a heavy-handed mandatory creates complications, especially on shortened notice.

Still, personal preference does not erase championship duties. Melikuziev locked in his mandatory status through official channels. Forcing him to sit on the sidelines while Munguia takes another bout requires formal sanctioning body consent, not just the champion deciding a later date suits him better.

When the interviewer floated a schedule featuring Melikuziev in May and Hamzah Sheeraz in September, Munguia welcomed the Sheeraz option. Neither date, however, represents a signed agreement.

For now, Munguia is guaranteeing an explosive finish against Zon.

“It’s going to be a good fight, and it’s going to be a knockout,” Munguia said.

A stoppage win in Riyadh could generate a highlight reel moment on a major international stage. It will not resolve the uncertainty surrounding his strap. Until the WBA formally rules on the matter, Munguia is laying out a calendar he desires rather than one he is authorized to carry out.