AJ: WE DO IT MY WAY
Brit will call the shots as he sets up Wild clash
ANTHONY JOSHUA has told Deontay Wilder he will fight him next – but only on his terms.
WBC heavyweight king Wilder is not interested in promoter Eddie Hearn’s £4million offer to fight Dillian Whyte at The O2 on February 3 because he wants Joshua.
Hearn’s initial plan for Joshua was to fight WBO champ Joseph Parker next to build up to a mega-unification clash with Wilder in 12 months’ time.
But Joshua, 28, says he is willing to face Wilder in his next fight in the spring, if the American accepts his conditions.
“If Wilder’s not making an offer, we’ll do it on my terms,” said the unbeaten WBA Super and IBF king.
“Present him with an offer – and see how they feel about that offer.
“It’s no problem if Wilder wants to fight early next year, but no offers have been made to me.
“Everyone says they want to fight and then they sit back and wait for me to do all the homework.”
Wilder claimed that he had “declared war” on Joshua after his latest defence against Bermane Stiverne, on Saturday in New York.
And Hearn has now flown to the US to try to negotiate with his camp.
He feels Joshua deserves the bigger purse share because he is boxing’s biggest box-office star, attracting 168,000 fans to his last two fights.
“What we then have to do – which Eddie’s doing – is fly out to the United States,” said a frustrated Joshua.
“There’s one thing talking and acting, but negotiations don’t happen over social media. We’re now making the moves forward.
“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.”
Hearn is considering staging the showdown at Twickenham – because Tottenham have booked up Wembley until May – and Joshua would love to fight there.
“I definitely like it. It’s massive, it’s got the hospitality,” said Joshua.
“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.
“So let’s focus first on who I’m fighting.”