Deontay Wilder responds to Anthony Joshua’s tease last weekend of a possible highly-anticipated bout, insisting it would be a “major disaster” if they never fought each other with both former heavyweight world champions looking to force their way into another title fight
Image: Deontay Wilder is keen on bout with Anthony Joshua
Deontay Wilder says it would be a “major disaster” if he never fought Anthony Joshua, insisting he is ready for what would be a blockbuster showdown between the two former heavyweight champions next year.
Wilder and Joshua were unable to agree terms for an undisputed showdown when they held all four of the division’s major world titles between them, but speculation has been building recently that they could finally square-off in 2024, in Saudi Arabia.
Joshua intimated last weekend, in an interview with Sky Sports, the highly-anticipated bout could be part of a blockbuster card topped by Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk next spring, however Fury has suggested that he would like to face the Ukrainian as early as December.
- Fury calls for Christmas clash with Usyk
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Even though he has not competed since knocking out Robert Helenius inside one round 12 months ago – his first fight since losing a trilogy bout against Fury in October 2021 – Wilder believes is primed to face Joshua.
“(It is) a fight everyone is looking forward to and hopefully it happens and I’m doing everything in my power to make it happen, and I’m referring to the Anthony Joshua fight,” Wilder said on Instagram.
“Anthony, you’re getting it from the horse’s mouth himself: I’m here, I’m ready to go.
“I heard some things your promoter said that my last fight only lasted a short period of time and I haven’t fought in a year and he doesn’t know if I want to fight or not.
“But I’m letting you know I’m ready to fight – let’s make this the best time of our lives. This would be a major disaster if we were never able to get in the ring and put our stamp down in history.”
Image: Wilder has not fought since his first-round win over Robert Helenius last October
Despite his recent inactivity, Wilder, who turned 38 on Sunday, is renowned for his ferocious punch power, with 42 of his 43 victories in 46 professional contests have been inside the distance.
Joshua has rebounded from a pair of losses to Usyk, who snatched the Briton’s WBA, IBF and WBO titles, with underwhelming performances in wins over Jermaine Franklin and Helenius earlier this year.
Joshua (26-3, 23KOs) is planning another tune-up in December before taking on former WBC champion Wilder, who rubbished suggestions his British rival might be biting off more than he can chew.
“When people think about classics and great fights, I want them to think about us as well,” Wilder added. “Being able to do that, we’ve got to get in the ring.
“The silliest thing I’ve heard is people saying you’re not ready and that’s the silliest thing because I don’t believe that – I hope you’re ready, I think you’re ready. Let’s make this happen.”
Sourse: skysports.com
