American heavyweight Deontay Wilder has sent a direct call out to Anthony Joshua, stating it would “be a major disaster if we were never able to get in the ring.”
The Bronze Bomber shared a video on his Instagram account, He said:
“You’re hearing it from my mouth, here personally, from the horse’s mouth himself, I’m here and I’m ready, I’m ready to go.”
The Instagram post also had a caption stating: “Dear @anthonyjoshua ,Brudda the time is now! I don’t understand the process of fighting so many others before me… and maybe it’s none of my business to understand but understand you must overcome your fears. Fear will allow many to miss out on displaying their true greatness. Look, Mate Do what you got to do but help me keep my word to my fans that 2024 is going to be electrifying. It’s about time to get this party back started don’t you agree?
Wishing you many blessings and peace. -BombZquad.”
Anthony Joshua Planning Fight Before Wilder
Despite the call out Anthony Joshua has recently shared that he is looking to fight in December, in a warm-up fight before any potential bout with Wilder. Although Wilder seems keen to get them both in the ring sooner rather than later. Deontay Wilder and Anthony Joshua are both coming off the back of victories over Robert Helenius. Joshua defeated Helenius with a 7th round KO in August. Wilder picked up a first round stoppage back in October 2022.
The Bronze Bomber has had more time out of action than his British counterpart, but looks as though he is more willing to get the fight over the line sooner. The fight will be the last opportunity for either boxer to cement themselves back in to the world title picture, with a loss possibly signalling the end of their career at the top level.
Eddie Hearn Plans for Anthony Joshua
Promoter Eddie Hearn was speaking to TalkSport on the possibility of Wilder v Joshua, with their plan being to get the bout scheduled for March/April of 2024.
Hearn said: “The fight to make is the Deontay Wilder fight, but that fight for many reasons isn’t happening in January, but we still want to make that fight, talks continue with them and Shelly Finkel to do that fight, in probably March or April.”
The Matchroom Boxing promoter also commented on the potential future opponents for Joshua in December. Chinese heavyweight Zhilei Zhang, Croatian Filip Hrgović and Sweden’s Otto Wallin were all mentioned.
“We looked at Zhang before, if there was an offer to do that fight in Beijing or look at that fight in the UK, I think it makes sense. A lot of the guys we talked about before, Filip Hrgović, Otto Walin, there’s a lot happening in the IBF at the moment, AJ could be in line for a world title shot for that fight in the new year as well.”
Hearn also admitted that there are two fights that Joshua must have before retirement.
“Really there’s two fights that AJ needs to have before he retires, that’s Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury. And for me I think he has to have those fights next year.”
Features image credits to Embed from Getty Images
