Wilder dismisses Joshua credentials

– World champion Deontay Wilder said this week the winner of his showdown with Tyson Fury can lay claim to being the best heavyweight in boxing.

WBC champion Wilder faces off against Britain’s Fury at the Staples Centre in Los Angeles on December 1 in a battle of undefeated fighters.

The winner could advance to a showdown with Anthony Joshua, the IBF, WBA and WBO heavyweight champion who is also unbeaten.

Wilder insists the 2012 Olympic champion does not deserve to be ranked in the top three.

Wilder, (40-0 with 39 knockouts), instead believes that he and Fury, along with Cuba’s Luis Ortiz, are superior to Joshua.

“In my true, honest opinion I

Los Angeles

feel whoever wins this can call themselves the best heavyweight champion of the world,” Wilder told reporters on Thursday.

Wilder, 33, accused Joshua of avoiding him.

Negotiations fell through earlier this year before Wilder opted to face Fury.

Wilder meanwhile was unimpressed by Fury’s recent decision to add veteran US trainer Freddie Roach into his corner.

Roach, one of boxing’s most famous trainers who guided Manny Pacquiao through his biggest fights, will be a cut man for Fury.

Wilder however questioned how much influence Roach would have on the contest.

“It doesn’t matter what trainer he brings in – they can’t fight for him,” Wilder said. –