Deontay Wilder has claimed Anthony Joshua no longer has the respect of the heavyweight division after losing his world titles to Oleksandr Usyk – as the pair attempt to set up a mega-fight in Saudi Arabia next year.
Joshua is set to face Otto Wallin while Wilder will come up against Joseph Parker on the same card in Saudi Arabia on December 23, with the two potentially set to meet each other on March 9 should they both win.
Speaking of coming face-to-face with Joshua for the first time, Wilder told Instant Casino: “I didn’t have to say anything [to AJ at the press conference], everyone said what needed to be said, especially Jarrell Miller. I can’t stand him one bit, but he told the truth about AJ. By him saying what he said, enough was said. I didn’t need to come at AJ.
“It seemed like a lot of other guys were already coming at him. It seems like he doesn’t have the respect he once had. A lot of the guys coming up disrespect him and say anything to him.
“And I think that’s kind of a frustrating thing for him, to go from one state of mind – everyone respects him – to now losing a few times and everyone now thinks you’re very beatable and we can beat you, so we’re going to talk trash to you and get to you. That’s what I got from being around him.
“But for me he was all nervous. Nerves when it comes to me, because they don’t know how I am. They don’t know how I am in different situations, so when I came in that relaxed manner it really shocked him.
“And it shocked a lot of people. I wish the best for AJ, but it’s been a long time coming between me and him; the anticipation, the hype, this is the number one fight in the world.
“Everywhere I go, that’s the main fight people ask me about and one day soon it will finally happen after all these years of trying over and over again.
“Recently their side admitted they held this fight up; not taking the $50million, low-balling me, flat fees and all that stuff. But with patience and time the truth shall reveal itself and it has.
“He’s got to get Wallin out the way and I’ve got to get Parker out the way and may God be with us in those fights and when we come out safe we let the big games begin.”
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Joshua and Wilder have long held talks for a bout, but has never materialised with them failing to come to terms.
Wilder instead fought Fury on three different occasions, losing twice after drawing the first.
Joshua himself had agreed to fight Fury, but that was not made possible after Widler invoked his rematch clause with Fury for their third fight.
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