Eddie Hearn names the fighter with 42 stoppages who other boxers no longer fear

Eddie Hearn has long been opinionated on the career of Deontay Wilder, but he is now unsure whether any fighter actually fears the former WBC champion now. 

For long periods of his career, Wilder was linked to a showdown with Anthony Joshua, but the fight never took place despite both men being world champions at the same time as well as being the best two heavyweights out there during Tyson Fury’s absence. 

Both men were regularly producing stunning finishes when winning or defending their belts and a battle between the pair was one of the biggest fights that could be made in boxing. 

In 2025, each man is looking for redemption after each suffered shocking knockout losses in 2024 against opponents they were expected to deliver against. 

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Last summer, Wilder was blasted out by Zhilei Zhang when representing Matchroom on the inaugural 5 vs 5 show against Frank Warren’s Queensberry . 

In September, it was more joy for Warren over Hearn as Dubois produced one of the performances of the year to stop Joshua in five rounds at Wembley Stadium . 

Hearn has admitted that a fight between Joshua and Wilder could still take place, but he was also quick to point out that this current version of Wilder is not the one who fighters used to be intimidated by. 

“It’s not a fight that I rule out, but people don’t give Wilder much shot against AJ right now, but hopefully, he can start looking good again,” said Hearn when speaking to Fighthype . 

“Again, we talk about fighters losing their way. There’s a great example. It’s funny how people can be so fearful of a fighter, and then all of a sudden, have no fear whatsoever.”

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