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-oldĀ 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.
āYouāve got to remember that a lot of that talk about me and Wilder started in 2017 after he beat Bermane Stiverne but I havenāt spoken much about it,” said Joshua.
“Iāve 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 Wilderās team before the fight with Joseph Parker was made. And once that fight didnāt happen, I put Wilder aside and focused solely on Parker.
“Iām not the one overlooking Joseph Parker and Iām not the one hooting and hollering about whatās happening next.
“Iām really focused on Parker because as you know, if I donāt get past Parker, it slows down the train and derails everything weāre trying to achieve in terms of becoming the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world.ā
Asked about the prospect of re-opening discussions after the 31st, Joshua replied: āOne-hundred 10 percent. Thereās no doubt in my mind that fight will happen. And thereās no doubt in my mind that Iāll beat Wilder as well. This is where weāre 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 didnāt he offer to fight Klitschko and say āListen, Iāve got that belt that your brother has had for the last 10 years. Letās me and you fight now.ā
“Thereās a lot of pressure from fans in America, media and the papers for Wilder to step up and fight. And now weāre here and Iām that champion and Iām definitely looking forward to it.
“Thatās why back-to-back, Iāve 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 weāre headed towards the undisputed heavyweight championship of the world,” he added.