Joshua: Wilder must be realistic in fight demands
Anthony Joshua has told Deontay Wilder to “stop living the fantasy” and accept who would be the bigger draw in any potential title reunification fight.
A clash between Joshua, Britain’s IBF and WBA heavyweight champion, and WBC belt-holder Wilder for the undisputed world title would be one of the biggest bouts in world boxing.
Yet verbal blows aside, there have been no serious negotiations between either fighter’s camp.
Joshua first has to get past WBO champion Joseph Parker in another unification fight in Cardiff a week on Saturday, but there is little doubt which fight is being eyed next.
And Joshua hopes Wilder recognises that he is a greater attraction in the UK than the American is in the US and agrees to cross the Atlantic for what would be a big showcase occasion.
Joshua said: “If he was serious about the fight, we’d do serious negotiation. If not, (he should) stop hooting and hollering because we’ll just freeze him out.
“We’re in a position where I’ve still got great top10 challengers I can compete with. He’s in a position where the broadcasters ain’t interested in (him fighting) Joe Bloggs anymore.
“I know where I am going with my career. If he wants to be a part of this and jump on the train and come to the UK, he has to be realistic and stop living the fantasy.
“That is all we are saying, be realistic in negotiations.
“What we’ve got to offer is going to be 10 times more in terms of financials – because that’s what it comes down to – than he’s looking at in America.
“If he offered me 10 times more money to fight than what I am looking at in the UK, I would go there to fight him. But he is coming here.
“We are doing the offering, he hasn’t offered us. Take it or leave it.”
Sky Sports Box Office will exclusively show the Anthony Joshua v Joseph Parker unification fight on 31 March. Available to buy now at www.sky.com/orderboxoffice