Anthony Joshua has revealed that he would be open to meeting Deontay Wilder in the ring next year.
A Joshua vs Wilder bout was initially mooted as a possibility while the pair held all the heavyweight belts. Wilder’s WBC title was all that AJ needed to be crowned the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world.
It’s quite remarkable to think that the Briton now finds himself without any world titles and will be heading into the rematch against Oleksandr Usyk as the underdog.
Still, Joshua has not lost his confidence, despite having been schooled by Usyk at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. He appears willing to fight anyone – which has always been his mantra.
One man in particular who the Watford-born fighter would be willing to take on is Wilder, who too has had his standing in the game damaged by recent defeats. AJ told IFL TV:
“If the fans can’t see I would take these fights with the fighters like Wilder in a heartbeat.”
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“And I want people to know that I would fight anyone in their prime or anytime.”
“Give me a mandatory and I will fight anyone, I love the game and will fight anyone.”
“I will take on any challenge providing politics aren’t an issue and the finances are there with these guys, people know what I am about.”
“I think Wilder fought (Tyson) Fury thinking it was going to be easier than his previous fights and got caught in a trilogy web.”
“But would I fight Wilder, yes I would.”
While Joshua vs Wilder would not be a world title fight, they are still two of the best heavyweights on the planet. Were AJ to lose his rematch with Usyk, this is one that the fans would want to see – no doubt.