Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder have fought the same man more than once but Joshua has picked out one specific name as a yardstick with which to beat his American foe.
Joshua and Wilder are still not scheduled to fight each other, though many are hoping that by appearing on the same bill in Saudi Arabia they are closer finally getting it on in the ring. On December 23, ‘AJ’ will face Swedish southpaw Otto Wallin on the same card that Wilder takes on game New Zealander Joseph Parker.
Parker was once the WBO belt holder, but he relinquished the title over 12 cagey rounds when he came up against Joshua. Wilder and Joshua have also both fought and knocked out Dominic Breazeale, though Wilder did so in the first compared to Joshua in the seventh.
After the press conference for the stacked end of year card, Joshua stated how both men took on journeyman Jason Gavern but at very different points in their careers.
“The boy has had 50 fights and he probably fought Jason Gavern in his 30-something fight, I probably fought him in my 12th or whatever.”
Joshua went on to find other holes in Wilder’s CV.
“I never had a year out, never had too much time off, I stood up to every opportunity, I fought back-to-back world champions, defended my titles. I’m a different breed. Who am I to compare myself to others? I am a different breed. If they’re looking for weaknesses and gaps, then they need to stop looking over here because I’m solid. I don’t know what he’s talking about if I’m honest.”