Joshua believes fight with Wilder ‘95% done’

LONDON – Anthony Joshua has claimed that a potential fight with Deontay Wilder is ‘95 per cent done’ on his side and could take place in December if the deal goes through.

Talks are ongoing over a proposed ‘tournament’ in Saudi Arabia which could also involve Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk fight on the same card.

AJ claimed his first win in over two years after defeating Jermaine Franklin on a points decision in his last fight on April 1, having previously fallen to two consecutive losses to Usyk in 2021 and 2022.

He then announced he would not return to the ring until December, ruling out a summer showdown with either Fury or Dillian Whyte.

Saudi, if they say they are going to do something, they are more than likely going to do it. So, that’s one end of it,’ Joshua told Metro.

‘‘And then you let the other guys do what they do. But as the man behind the scenes, it is important to start getting ready.

‘‘In terms of it getting delivered, I honestly believe it is 95 per cent there.

‘‘He is good, I respect him, I don’t undermine him. That will make me raise my game. I respect what he has done and what he has done in this division. It is hard to become a champion, and he did it, so I have to respect that.’’

LONDON – Pep Guardiola consoled a distraught Leroy Sane after Manchester City ran out 4-1 aggregate winners in Wednesday’s Champions League knockout clash at the Allianz arena.

Sane’s Bayern Munich failed to muster a serious reply to City’s dominance over two legs as the Premier League outfit advanced to their third consecutive European semi-final.

Guardiola previously worked with Sane before the German moved to Munich in 2020, however pictures after full-time in the Champions League encounter shows the pair still maintain a good relationship.

One image shows Sane holding his face with one hand as he appears to be rubbing away tears with his fist after Bayern were eliminated from the prestigious competition.