Anthony Joshua responds to Deontay Wilder

Anthony Joshua explains to Deontay Wilder, Joseph Parker and the rest of the boxing world what will happen next

Press Association

Anthony Joshua responds to Deontay Wilder
Action Images/Andrew Couldridge

ANTHONY JOSHUA has warned Deontay Wilder they will fight on “my terms” after revealing Eddie Hearn will make an offer to the WBC heavyweight champion.

The 28-year-old Joshua, who defeated Carlos Takam by TKO to retain his world heavyweight titles last month, insists potential opponents only talk of fighting him without making an official approach.

Most recently Wilder accused Joshua’s promoter Hearn of delaying negotiations regarding a potential match-up and WBO champion Joseph Parker described him as his “preferred option”.

Before Wilder stopped Bermane Stiverne inside a round in his sixth WBC heavyweight title defence, Hearn had spoken of plans to make him an offer to fight Joshua’s rival Dillian Whyte.

However, Joshua told Press Association Sport: “If Wilder’s not making an offer we’ll do it on my terms. Present him with an offer, and see how they feel about that offer. That only goes to the champions: Deontay Wilder and Joseph Parker. It’s the same situation to both of them.

“It’s no problem if Wilder wants to fight early next year, but no offers have been made to me. There has never been an offer. Everyone says they want to fight, and then sits back and waits for me to do all the homework.

“What we then have to do – which Eddie’s doing – is fly out to the United States to make time. No offers have been made from their or our side; we had a mandatory in place, and now we’re taking the time and effort to get the ball rolling.

“There’s one thing talking and acting, but negotiations don’t happen over social media. We’re now making the moves forward.”

Joshua added: “I’m serious about becoming undisputed heavyweight champion of the world. We’re just making sure that a lot of these guys who are making noise will back up what they’re saying.”

America’s Wilder, 32, had told BBC Sport: “Eddie is ducking me more so than Joshua. If you want to stay at home like a little girl, this king has no problem travelling to knock out the champion.”

The promoter of the 25-year-old Parker, David Higgins, also said in quotes reported by Radio New Zealand: “Eddie and I have exchanged emails. My message was Joe would fight Joshua next and Hearn’s was that Joshua would fight Parker next.”


Press Association Sport also understands that Joshua hopes to secure his next fight, in the UK, by Christmas so that he can begin preparations in the first week of January.

Most recently Hearn discussed the prospect of Joshua fighting at Twickenham, and the IBF and WBA champion told Press Association Sport: “Any stadium that caters for a combat sport definitely has a place for boxing in it.

“But for all the people coming to Twickenham, I’d love to have a credible night, someone with some ‘assets’, these belts that I’m trying to get my hands on.

“Let’s focus on who I’m fighting first. I’ve actually been there on a tour, never to watch a game, but when I was younger I went there on a tour to look at the grounds. I definitely liked it: it’s massive, it’s got the hospitality.”

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Video: Showtime Sports

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