Carl Froch has weighed in with a prediction for a potential clash between Deontay Wilder and Anthony Joshua, and admits he doesn’t see it going well for the Brit.
Joshua and Wilder are tipped to lock horns in Saudi Arabia this December, on a blockbuster bill that could also feature an undisputed world title fight between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk.
Speaking on his YouTube channel Froch on Fighting, ‘The Cobra’ admitted he felt Joshua is now past his best and would be “rendered unconscious” by Wilder.
“When I think of that fight, I just think – as good as Joshua is, Olympic champion and a nice tidy boxer – he’s well past his best and the Ruiz part took a part of his soul.”
“I think he’s lost confidence, I don’t think he believes in himself. I hope AJ manages to come back and starts to believe in himself.”
“I just think Deontay Wilder at some stage will catch Anthony Joshua on the chin and render him unconscious.”
Joshua had been scheduled to fight in July, potentially against old foe Dillian Whyte, but these plans now seem to have put on hold in order to avoid risking the blockbuster payday on offer from Skills Challenge Group.
Promoter Eddie Hearn did not rule out the possibility of his prized heavyweight having a stay busy fight in the summer, but conceded it would not be against a top heavyweight.
‘AJ’ is no stranger to boxing in Saudi Arabia, which played host to both his successful rematch against Andy Ruiz Jr in 2019 and his defeat to Oleksandr Usyk last August.
A figure of £300 million has been mentioned as the total purse for the event, which would make it the richest in boxing history.