“Joshua Responds To Wilder’s Claims Of Ducking”

After completely overwhelming Bermane Stiverne this pastSaturdayin New York Deontay Wilder has made no secret of the fact he wants to fight Anthony Joshua next. The WBC champion said that Joshua has been avoiding a unification bout and challenged the Brit to make it happen.

Joshua, the WBA and IBF championdenies anyclaims heisavoiding Wilder and says he has toldhis promoterEddie Hearn to start negotiations in the US.

“Eddie is going to America for the Daniel Jacobs fight and he’s contacting the champions that are interested in fighting.”

“I’ll have to put my foot forward and start making the offers, and trying to secure a fight with the likes of Deontay Wilder or [WBO champion] Joseph Parker.”

Joshuasaid hiseventual goal is to unify the heavyweight belts and become undisputed heavyweight champion of the world.That means the 28-year-old will also have to accept mandatory challengers, such as Carlos Takam whom he beat last month, in order to keep his currenttitle.The WBA had previously ordered him to fight unbeaten Cuban Luis Ortiz but after he failed a drugs test earlier this year, that situation has been clouded.

However, having just beaten his IBF mandatory, he would now appear to have a clear path to fight either Wilder or Parker.

Joshua was quick to reiterate that he has no interest in shying away from the biggest challengers the heavyweight division has to offer.

“I fought for a world title in my 15th fight. That tells you where I’m at in terms of fighting people,” said Joshua.

“Deontay WIlder wantsto call me out? No problem.”

“I’ve already had a meeting about that. But the difference between me and him is I don’t just say what I say to please people; I mean what I say.”

“I don’t do my negotiations in public. I don’t do business in public.”

“We had a meeting. I asked [my managerial team] ‘are there any offers that have come your way because Wilder says I’m ducking him and that he’s really interested in fighting me?’ and there’s not been any offers.“

With Hearn in New York this week fans can only hope some progress can be made and the fight everybody wantsto see in the heavyweight division gets done.