Wilder is shocked by Joshua ‘talking so low about himself’
AMERICAN world heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder is surprised by Anthony Joshua’s attitude, saying he has “never seen a champion talk so low about himself ”.
Wilder, a potential future opponent of the Briton, was referring to Joshua’s comments after his victory against Wladimir Klitschko in April, when he said he was “still learning” after getting off the floor to win.
Joshua, 28, defends his IBF, WBA and IBO titles against late stand-in Carlos Takam in front of 80,000 in Cardiff on Saturday night and WBC champion Wilder believes Joshua’s concern puts him at risk.
He said: “I’ve never seen a champion talk so low about himself. I’ve never seen a champion so unconfident.
“Maybe it’s just the difference between the British and the Americans.
“The fact that AJ is so unconfident in himself makes this a risk. But Takam has got this sudden opportunity to fight for a world title.
“If that’s not motivation, I don’t know what is. And this is boxing — everybody has a chance.”
Undefeated Wilder, 32, faces his own stand-in opponent in New York on Saturday week, with plans for a showdown against Joshua next year already in the pipeline if both men keep hold of their titles.
Wilder, who has won 37 of his 38 fights by knockout, faces Canada’s Bermane Stiverne, who he has beaten before, after scheduled opponent Luis Ortiz failed a drugs test.
There could be a stumbling block ahead of a potential megafight between Joshua and Wilder, with the British fighter’s promoter Eddie Hearn insisting that the American meets his No2 heavyweight Dillian Whyte first next February.
Wilder insists he wants to go straight to Joshua, who was the centre of attention in Cardiff yesterday when holding a public workout at St David’s Hall, and has no interest in meeting Whyte.
Wilder added: “Everyone knows who I want. 2018 will be a huge year. I know one day things will happen and I think it will be next year. The public are going to force it and the people want it now.
“But Joshua’s next fight is going to be all about how Takam has been training. I’d be training double now — day and night. Now Takam has to do things he has never done in his career. He got two weeks’ notice and most heavyweights are not always in the gym. He’s in a big fight and there are titles on the line. He’s got to do the unexpected.”