Anthony Joshua has admitted he is ‘begging’ to face Deontay Wilder in April. Joshua, who holds three of the four major world heavyweight titles, is seeking an opponent for his next Wembley date.
WBC chief Wilder holds the only other belt in the division, meaning a clash between the two would crown a new undisputed heavyweight champion.
The Bronze Bomber recently drew with another British heavyweight in Tyson Fury, yet many lambasted the judges’ scorecards for not awarding Fury the victory.
A rematch between the pair looks likely, with Fury’s promoter Frank Warren keen on bringing Wilder to the UK, and the American has recently accused Joshua of ‘begging’ for a bout now he is out of the picture.
And Joshua agreed with his rival’s claim.
“There’s no ducking. I’m willing to fight,” he told iFL TV.
“Begging? Yeah I am begging. I want to become undisputed champion of the world.
“I’m hungry for it, so yeah I am begging.”
Joshua has a number of options for his next Wembley outing on April 13.
Cruiserweight master Oleksandr Usyk, American heavyweight Jarrell Miller and, sensationally, a rematch with the legendary Wladimir Klitschko are all possibilities.
The winner of next week’s grudge rematch between Dillian Whyte and Dereck Chisora could also fire themselves into contention, too.
But Joshua remains adamant that Wilder is his number-one choice.
“In my head, it is Wilder,” he said.
“In terms of figures, it is a lot more lucrative than what he was fighting Fury for.
“Wilder should really consider this offer. I’m not chasing Wilder, it is not that I am desperate, but I’m just saying that both our schedules are free.
“He hasn’t got no mandatory. I haven’t either.”
— By Ollie Salt, courtesy of The Daily Star
