AJ: It is not time to sit back

ANTHONY Joshua says “it is not time to sit back” as he prepares for the next phase of his boxing career.

Joshua’s unanimous points victory over New Zealander Joseph Parker in Cardiff on Saturday gave him another world title and a 21st victory of his career.

Undefeated American Deontay Wilder — t he division’s other champion — l ooks set to feature sooner rather than later on British star Joshua’s fight schedule.

And although there is work to be done in terms of securing a fight that could see Joshua add the WBC belt to his WBA, WBO and IBF honours, he is ready for Wilder’s threat.

“There is no issue with fighting anyone,” Joshua said. “If you look at my 21 fights, there hasn’t been an issue of fighting anyone.

“I am not just going to give him (Wilder) everything he wants to get him here. He has to do a l i t t l e b i t o f wo r k a n d sacrifice a bit as well.”

Saturday’s win was the first time Joshua had been taken the distance in his professional career.

“I can’t rest on this,” he added. “It is not time to sit back. Boxing and sport doesn’t give athletes a chance to make a mistake. It has to be perfection and it has to look great.

“I am a work in progress. I do like to be known as a big puncher, but at the same time, I want to be known as someone who can box. I am trying to work on my all-round game.”

Wilder stirred up some controversy by suggesting he wants to kill somebody in the ring.

And Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn said: “He (Wilder) has completely lost his head, and he is prepared t o say or do anything to make the fight, other than actually try and make the fight.”

Anthony Joshua