Joshua: Wilder fight has to happen this year
Anthony Joshua has admitted that he has to fight Deontay Wilder this year to become the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world, according to a report on the Daily Star.
The current IBF, IBO, WBA and WBO heavyweight champion is eager to fight his American rival, who holds the WBC heavyweight belt.
Joshua is eager to win the belt from Wilder and wants to do it this year in the United Kingdom.
Wilder and his team are insisting that the fight is held in America to gain more exposure but Joshua has never fought outside the UK.
When speaking about a potential showdown with Wilder, Joshua said:
That’s the next fight hopefully I’ve got my hands free, I completed my task against Joseph Parker and I feel refreshed now. I feel like that’s the last hurdle, fighting Wilder.
We’re in the process of exchanging offers and just going through the finer details. That’s the fight I want and it’s here now.
I was looking at options – the WBA mandatory is Povetkin but I’m not really interested in him, to be honest.
Not right now when there’s an opportunity to fight Wilder. It has to happen this year.
Boxing fans are desperate to see the two men battle it out in the ring in what is expected to be one of the heavyweight classics.
Joshua is just remaining focused at the moment and has left the negotiations to his promoter, Eddie Hearn.