Deontay Wilder warns Anthony Joshua to avoid 'major disaster' as he sends AJ a video call-out message
25/10/2023 09:29
Deontay Wilder has now publicly pushed for the Anthony Joshua fight to get made in 2024.
The rival heavyweights who previously failed to finalise a bout in 2018 and 2019, have returned to talks in recent months.
Back when they first tried to agree a deal, the pair were heavyweight world champions and would have met in an undisputed showdown.
Now, both have lost their titles, but the fight remains a massive attraction.
Representatives for Joshua and Wilder agreed terms over the summer for a fight in Saudi Arabia this December.
However, this fell through following a switch in the landscape of boxing in Saudi, with the new entity in charge instead prioritising Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk, which is now signed and planned for December.
As a result, AJ and Wilder’s teams are working to find a new host in 2024, though it is not proving easy to replicate the funds they’d previously agreed in their Saudi proposal.
Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn said last week: “We were offered a deal that we accepted [but it fell through].
“It’s not my fault now that some of the alternatives may not be anywhere near the last number, so that makes us reconsider our options.
“So I don’t care about Deontay Wilder, he’s in his own problems, the guy ain’t fought for a year and his last fight was about 40 seconds. He don’t really wanna fight, I don’t think.”
These remarks have prompted a strong response from Wilder, who has made a direct video call-out message to Joshua for the first time in years.
Wilder said: “A fight that everybody is looking forward to and hopefully it happens – I’m doing everything in my power to make it happen – I’m referring to the Anthony Joshua fight.
“So Anthony, you’re hearing it from my mouth, here, personally, from the horse’s mouth himself.
“I’m here, I’m ready, 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 ain’t fought in a year, so he don’t know if I wanna fight or not.
“But I’m letting you know right now, right here, I’m ready to fight.
“I’m ready to get in the ring man, 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 bro.
“When people think about classic great fights, I want them to think about us as well, being able to do that we’ve gotta get in the ring, that’s what it’s all about.
“The silliest thing I’ve heard is people saying you’re not ready.
“That’s the silliest thing because I don’t believe that, I believe you’re ready.
“I hope you’re ready, I think you’re ready, so let’s make this happen bro, me and you, making history happen.
“I’m looking forward to seeing your response bro, I’ll talk to you soon.”
