WBC World heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder has once again thrown down the gauntlet to Anthony Joshua – labelling the British star a “coward” on live television ahead of his December 1st showdown with Tyson Fury.
Speaking on ‘Good Morning Britain’, the undefeated American sounded off on the WBA/WBO/IBF champion, accusing Joshua and his team of being “con artists” and “compulsive liars” following the well-publicised breakdown in negotiations between the two camps.
“Hey Joshua, me and Fury about to get this thing going on!” said Wilder.
“We about to see who the biggest and the baddest is in the world. One champion, one face, one name – something you was a coward to do in your own country!”
Wilder, who is currently in the U.K. on the first leg of his media tour ahead of his bout lineal king Tyson Fury in Los Angeles, continued to berate the London 2012 Olympic gold medallist – sending an emotionally-charged message into the camera.
“I’m looking at you right here.” he continued.
“You was a coward. You was a coward, and you know this. Your whole team know this. Each and every one of you said different things, over and over you manipulate!”
“You contradict, you’re compulsive liars, con artists. People put their hard earned money into this. This is an emotional sport. Of course I am going to show all emotion, enough is enough. It is what it is.”
With both Wilder and Joshua boasting near-100% knockout ratios, a bout between the pair has long-been called for by boxing fans and media-alike.
However, ‘The Bronze Bomber’ is not-so-convinced that Joshua and his team share that sentiment, finishing his tirade by claiming that ‘AJ’ was “dragging people along” with what he considered to be insincere claims that they were prepared to secure the fight.
“If you didn’t want to fight just say it. Don’t drag these people along.” Wilder finished.
Despite the obvious clamour for a Joshua-Wilder match-up, the Alabama-native must be wary of overlooking similarly undefeated giant Tyson Fury, with the self-styled ‘Gypsy King’ returning in a bid to reclaim his position at the top of the heavyweight division.
Following a two-and-a-half year exile from the sport, Fury has thrown himself in at the deep end with a bout against the fearsome power-puncher after just two routine comeback fights.
Nevertheless, the 6ft 9″ Mancunian seems to be full of confidence, and has plans of his own for a blockbuster bout with Anthony Joshua. The first step of said plan, involves wresting the WBC crown from Wilder in December…