Britain’s Anthony Joshua says he wants to fight WBC heavyweight champion, Deontay Wilder in April and has told the American: “I’m running the game.”
Joshua holds the IBF, WBO and WBA belts and any bout between the two would unify the heavyweight division.
Earlier in the week Wilder, who drew with Britain’s Tyson Fury in Los Angeles earlier this month, accused Joshua of “begging” for a fight.
“I’m not interested in Tyson Fury – he’s not the champion,” Joshua said.
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The 29-year-old is yet to confirm an opponent for his next fight on 13 April at Wembley Stadium, with his promoter Eddie Hearn saying “it comes down to what Wilder wants to do”.
Joshua told ESPN: “I’m willing to fight Deontay Wilder on 13 April in London. I don’t know what more I need to do to get that message across. He’s more interested in fighting Tyson Fury. Fury holds no world titles.
“I’ve booked the date in advance, booked the venue in advance. I want to make my point clear in front of everyone – I’m willing to fight any one of these guys, especially the champion Deontay Wilder.
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“I’m the one leading the pack since I made my debut. Five years in, several title defences and I’m running the game. I mean business. I don’t know what more I need to do to get that message across to the world. I can handle my business and I’m willing to do that in the ring.”
Following the draw between Wilder and Fury earlier this month the WBC sanctioned a direct rematch.
Joshua’s promoter Hearn has previously engaged in failed negotiations with Wilder’s team.
Meanwhile, former world champion, Wladimir Klitschko is contemplating a sensational return to boxing and has been in talks with Anthony Joshua over a potential rematch.
The former heavyweight world champion hung up his gloves after being stopped by Joshua in a epic clash at Wembley last year, but now seems tempted by the possibility of getting a second bite at the cherry amid uncertainty over the Brit’s next opponent.
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Joshua had his heart set on a blockbuster clash for all the marbles against Deontay Wilder in the spring next year but now finds himself in no man’s land with the WBC champion keen to restart negotiations with Tyson Fury following their controversial split-decision draw in Los Angeles earlier this month.
Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn is narrowing down the list of options as they look for a credible name to put in front of the unified champion at Wembley on April 13 and claimed that Klitschko is keen to throw his name into the hat.
Hearn told iFL TV: “He wants to come back. I think he text AJ and said: “I wanna come back, I feel like I beat everybody in the division right now.”
Any attempts to lure Klitschko out of retirement over the past year had fallen on deaf ears but the Ukrainian now appears to be seriously considering it with a shot at redemption on the cards.