On Saturday night, and following his devastating knockout of Bermane Stiverne, Wilder said to Showtime’s Jim Gray: “I know I’m the best, I just want the chance to prove it. Don’t you want to see one champion, one face one name?”
“I’ve been waiting on that fight for a long time. Me versus A ‘juicing’ J. “I declare war on you! Do you accept my challenge or are you still going to squat as you p***?
“I’ve been waiting for a long time baby. I know I’m the champion, I know I’m the best. Is you up for the test?”
Addressing Wilder’s speech, Deas was sure Joshua was not ‘juicing’ and remains hopeful the pair can set up what would be one of the world’s biggest top division encounters featuring fighters from both sides of the Atlantic.
“We stand for clean boxing. Deontay has been tested consistently since before the 2008 Olympics and has ALWAYS tested clean. All boxers should strive for this,” Deas exclusively told World Boxing News.
”We believe Anthony Joshua to be a clean, hard-working and an exceptional fighter with a great team behind him. We know they want big fights for him, as we do for Deontay.
“That’s why we must give the fans why they want when they want it, so why not now?
“Wilder-Joshua is the biggest fight that can be made, and it can be made!
“I encourage all fans to get behind this. You deserve it. Deontay and Anthony deserve it. The sport deserves it,” he added.
Joshua and Wilder have a window of opportunity to make the fight happen in June or July as both have recently taken care of their respective mandatories against Carlos Takam and Stiverne.
The WBA could rule for Joshua to defend his title against their stipulated challenger, but are known to be favorable to a unification fight over any obligations that may stand in the way.
WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman has declared himself fully on board with the fight, and in his close capacity to WBA counterpart Gilberto Mendoza, would surely be able to work out a deal provided Joshua and promoter his handler Eddie Hearn accept the offer.
Phil Jay is Editor of World Boxing News. Follow on Twitter @PhilDJay
