Anthony Joshua recalls previous efforts to fight Deontay Wilder

Anthony Joshua fully intends of re-addressing an undisputed heavyweight title clash with Deontay Wilder after the Briton takes care of business against Joseph Parker.

The 27 year-old attempts to add another title to his haul in Cardiff this weekend amidst calls from the boxing world to face Wilder by the end of 2018.

Speaking to the press ahead of his latest blockbuster bout, Joshua recalled his previous efforts to negotiate with Wilder and his team.

“You’ve got to remember that a lot of that talk about me and Wilder started in 2017 after he beat Bermane Stiverne but I haven’t spoken much about it,” said Joshua.

“I’ve got great people in my corner that handle the business while I focus on the handling of my boxing technique.

“We reached out to Deontay Wilder’s team before the fight with Joseph Parker was made. And once that fight didn’t happen, I put Wilder aside and focused solely on Parker.

“I’m not the one overlooking Joseph Parker and I’m not the one hooting and hollering about what’s happening next.

“I’m really focused on Parker because as you know, if I don’t get past Parker, it slows down the train and derails everything we’re trying to achieve in terms of becoming the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world.”

Asked about the prospect of re-opening discussions after the 31st, Joshua replied: “One-hundred 10 percent. There’s no doubt in my mind that fight will happen. And there’s no doubt in my mind that I’ll beat Wilder as well. This is where we’re heading.

“Fight after fight, my view on it is this…When Wladimir Klitschko was active and his brother relinquished the WBC belt, Wilder won it.

“If he was so interested in becoming the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world, why didn’t he offer to fight Klitschko and say ‘Listen, I’ve got that belt that your brother has had for the last 10 years. Let’s me and you fight now.’

“There’s a lot of pressure from fans in America, media and the papers for Wilder to step up and fight. And now we’re here and I’m that champion and I’m definitely looking forward to it.

“That’s why back-to-back, I’ve been racking up these belts one by one and taking fights. SHOWTIME has been riding with me for six fights, a quarter of my career.

“And we’re headed towards the undisputed heavyweight championship of the world,” he added.