Deontay Wilder discussed a possible fight with Anthony Joshua in the penultimate instalment of the WBC heavyweight champion’s interview with WBN.
The 33 year-old, like most of us, watched on in disbelief as Joshua was dropped, devastated and humbled by challenger Andy Ruiz Jr.
Wilder had been attempting to land a massive undisputed unification with AJ for some time before the Ruiz fight.
Prolonged discussions in the summer of 2018 fell by the wayside before renewed contact later that year led to nothing.
At one point, Wilder had offered to face Joshua on April 13 of this year at Wembley Stadium, although promoter Eddie Hearn had US plans.
As Joshua plots a return to form and redemption against Ruiz in 2019, Wilder insisted he remains open to facing the Briton at some point.
“I think I could still fight Anthony Joshua. That fight is not dead,” Wilder exclusively told World Boxing News.
“Joshua can come back and do a lot of amazing things you know. Look at all the fighters that have come back. Some of them had two or three title shots.
“Look at my guy Derek Chisora, how many times has he fought for a world title or at world level?
“I can name a couple of guys who have fought for it twice let alone one time. I know some guys who never get blessed to have it one time like my brother Malik Scott.”
LOSS
Wilder’s thoughts on why Joshua may have lost to a 10/1 underdog in Ruiz were quite compelling.
“They kept Joshua away from me because of that fact. They knew that the result that was going to happen. But probably a little earlier than that (if we fought).
“AJ had a lot of pressure on him coming to America for one. Then he was worrying about me and what I did in my performance (against Dominic Breazeale, a first round KO).
“All that stuff weighs in on you. He was panicking in the dressing room and I understand all that stuff, it’ll get you.
“Certain things, you want to perform and do great. Nobody never wants to lose. We want to do great, but when we got so much on you and so much pressure, talking about the sparring guys dropping him in sparring and stuff. It’s a lot.
“When your time comes I understand he just froze at the moment of time. But we’ll see whether he can redeem himself in the second fight.”
‘The Bronze Bomber’ has two fights of his own to deal with before any thoughts can turn to Joshua.
Luis Ortiz is up first before Tyson Furu comes to town again in the first quarter of next year.
Should Wilder win both, a clash with Ruiz Jr. or Joshua could be on the cards for all the top division marbles.
Phil Jay is Editor of World Boxing News. Follow on Twitter @PhilDJay (article transcribed by Assistant Editor).
