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Deontay Wilder has claimed that Anthony Joshua is \u201875 per cent\u2019 afraid to box him, as the heavyweights prepare for their respective fights in Saudi Arabia this weekend.<\/p>\n
Wilder will box Joseph Parker in Riyadh on Saturday (23 December), on the same card as Joshua\u2019s bout with Otto Wallin. It is expected that Wilder and Joshua will face each other next, but the American still has doubts over \u201cAJ\u201d\u2019s willingness to step in the ring with him.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t want to say he\u2019s 100 per cent afraid, but I think he\u2019s 75 per cent,\u201d Wilder told the BBC. \u201cI\u2019ve learned over the years, especially dealing in boxing, that nothing is for sure until it\u2019s for sure. And I know that\u2019s a little bit confusing, but what\u2019s understood doesn\u2019t have to be explained.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ll see what happens. The future is bright and we are farther [in talks] than we\u2019ve ever been in history. I can say that with certainty. Money hasn\u2019t been the issue. It comes with [Joshua] not having the heart, the will, the courage to step in the ring.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t really just blame it on Joshua. I blame it on his handlers, on his promotion and his management, because let\u2019s face it: Joshua is the cash cow of the company; without him, no money is drawn into Matchroom. We all know that. <\/p>\n
\u201cNot only do I feel Joshua is intimidated of me, but I feel his promoter [Eddie Hearn] is as well. That\u2019s why the fight hasn\u2019t happened.\u201d<\/p>\n
Wilder went on a long unbeaten run and became WBC heavyweight champion before losing the title to Tyson Fury in 2020. The pair initially fought to a controversial draw in 2018, before Fury stopped Wilder in their rematch to take the belt. Then, in a trilogy bout in 2021, the Briton knocked out Wilder again to retain the title. Wilder\u2019s only fight since has been his knockout of Robert Helenius in October 2022. <\/p>\n
Joshua vs Wallin is expected to be the main event in Riyadh on Saturday, as AJ seeks his third win of the year after beating Helenius and Jermaine Franklin. The Briton outpointed Franklin in April before stopping Helenius.<\/p>\n