How often does a fighter come out to support their rival, especially for someone like Deontay Wilder, who has previously talked smack about his other opponents?  Both ‘The Bronze Bomber’ and Anthony Joshua are supposed to engage in the ring on the coming weekend against Joseph Parker and Otto Wallin, respectively. But there’s more!

However, the pair have a deal in place to meet each other in the ring on 9 March, something that has been in the making for the better part of the last decade. On Wednesday, while reacting to Joshua’s workout session coming to a close pretty quickly. Wilder expressed his thoughts on media speculating about Joshua’s mental health, defending his rival in an unexpected move. 

Deontay Wilder asks people to back off

Ahead of the night, perfectly named ‘Day of Reckoning,’ Deontay Wilder reacted to Joshua’s open workout session. He claimed the media has been putting a lot of pressure on the Londoner and wished everybody would just back off and let the man do his job, at least, until Joshua fights Wallin on December 23.

“Y’all put a lot of pressure on this man. I wish everybody would back off him until he fights,” Wilder said during the Live Open Workout. Wilder was already done with his part of the event, so Frank Warren’s Queensberry Promo was interviewing him. Interestingly, Joshua did not work out himself. Instead, he gave the spotlight to some youth to showcase their skills. Moreover, as Wilder asks the media to back off, both fighters finally ink a deal.

A historic two-fight deal between Anthony Joshua and Wilder

For as long as people can remember, a fight between Wilder and Joshua has been teased to the world. Previously, a fight between them came close to fruition, but things never seemed to play out the way people wanted. However, after the news of their potential fight in March came out, Happy Punch recently confirmed the deal will be inked before Saturday. 

“Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder have reportedly fully agreed to a TWO-FIGHT deal with first on March 9th. Contracts are expected to be signed before Saturday night, per @DanRafael1,” Happy Punch wrote in their tweet. Even though the contract will be signed before Saturday night, all the terms are already agreed upon, including financials.

Also Read: Potential Anthony Joshua Fight Is More Crucial for Deontay Wilder Than Reclaiming His Lost Title

While the media is pressuring Anthony Joshua about his mental health, Deontay Wilder comes to Joshua’s rescue. On the other hand, Joshua has previously claimed he is ready to go – after coming back from Darkness retreat. Do you think Joshua needed defending?

Watch This Story: Who is Otto Wallin, Anthony Joshua’s opponent for December fight?