Deontay Wilder Says Anthony Joshua and Team Are Holding Up the Fight
Back in 2018, before the rise of Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk, Deontay “The Bronze Bomber” Wilder (42-2-1, 41 KO’s) and Anthony “AJ” Joshua (24-3, 22 KO’s) were at the top the heavyweight pile. Naturally, the boxing public was salivating at the mouth to see these two men ply their menacing trade in the ring with one another. Despite the calls for the showdown, it never came to be.
There was much public back-and-forth between the two camps and Team Wilder appeared very much on board with the duel. In fact, Joshua was famously offered an $80 million dollar guarantee that his team didn’t even investigate! Due to this frightful inability to work with one another, a powerful disdain was built-up on both sides of the equation.
CHICKENS COME TO ROOST?
Now, as the hands of fate have written the scene, both Wilder and Joshua have been strong-armed for their titles. Wilder was twice stopped by Tyson Fury and AJ was out-boxed and out-pointed in back-to-back contests with Oleksandr Usyk. When recently asked, by EsNews, Wilder explained how he felt the loss to the Ukrainian proved that AJ was scared of him the whole time.
“That’s why they didn’t want to make the fight before! That is the reason that they took me on a six month rollercoaster because they did everything to avoid the fight. They did not want to fight and these are the results and the reason. We are seeing it, fast forward years and we seeing it.”
STILL TIME ON THE CLOCK
Being mutually marooned in this current professional slump has somewhat brought them full circle. While looking to get more respect put on their names, AJ versus Wilder makes a whole lot of sense right now. Luckily, if only begrudgingly, Wilder explained to EsNews that he is still open to a duel with Joshua.
“It’s up to them, we ain’t bullshitting! I hate talking about them guys, they put a bad taste in my mouth every time. With these promoters and managers and shit, they get in the way of big fights happening because of their greed.”
First up, Wilder has to get past his friend and old sparring partner Robert Helenius on October 15. Provided that he is successful in that endeavor, let’s cross our fingers and hope we can get this long overdue showdown somewhere in 2023. Hopefully, Joshua is in the mood to settle this old beef. Yet, no matter what happens with this aging saga, 3Kings Boxing will be here to report the facts.
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By: Bakari Simpson
