Joshua: Win Or Lose I Want Wilder

Whether or not Deontay Wilder beats Tyson Fury, Anthony Joshua says a fight between he and the WBC heavyweight champion is inevitable.

Joshua and Wilder were stuck in negotiations for several months, until Joshua would ink a deal with mandatory challenger Alexander Povetkin. Now, with his fight against the Russian challenger less than two weeks away, Joshua told Sky Sports that a fight between the two is unavoidable. “We’re going to fight regardless because we’re the same weight category, and we’re in the same era, and it’s the fight that people want to see,” Joshua told Sky Sports News.

“Yeah, we’re going to fight each other, but it’s interesting, because let’s say worst happens with Povetkin, it don’t stop me from having to fight them.

“If Wilder gets beat in that fight with Fury, I’ll still fight Wilder down the line, or if Fury gets beat.

“With boxing, one corner loses, one corner wins, but because it’s still a fight that the public will demand – big puncher, good stylistic fighter, good talkers – there will always be interest around the name of heavyweight boxing.”

Following a unanimous decision win over Joseph Parker in March, Joshua now has to face off with a very dangerous Povetkin, who leveled David Price on the Joshua-Parker undercard.

“I think I’ve got good opponents on my record so far,” said Joshua. “Povetkin’s a good one and I’m at that stage where I do want to look past Povetkin, because the division is alight, it’s amazing.

“There’s some real good challengers out there, but at the same time you’ve got to focus on your opponent in front of you, and that’s why – is it a big threat? Yeah, but if I can’t get past him then what can I say, everyone is going to be a big threat.

“I’ve got to dismantle Povetkin with ease, so I’m the threat, I’m the one to be reckoned with.”

Initial Report: Sky Sports