Deontay Wilder has made claims that Anthony Joshua has had it easy during his career, suggesting that the two-time heavyweight champion is a product of “false promotion” rather than the world-class fighter that he is portrayed as.
On “The Last Stand”, a podcast by SHOWTIME Sports, Wilder hinted that ‘AJ’ is overrated by both boxing media and fans of the sport. The American claimed that his opinion does not derive from hatred for the Brit, emphasising that he has no personal issues, however from a business perspective his feelings sour.
“As a businessman, I don’t like him at all. I don’t like the antics of business and how they conduct their business. This is a gladiator business.”
Wilder continued to say that the way Joshua and his team have manoeuvred in the sport has got him into the position that he is in today, as opposed to earning it with his ability as a boxer.
“They’ve made him. From the Olympics to the professional rankings and they know that. To be in this business, we are to be born to do it. Not made up. They gave him them belts, even in the Olympics, they have bought all these belts.”
Despite The Bronze Bomber’s beliefs on the success of Anthony Joshua’s promotion, he feels that Joshua’s team have let him down recently with their key decision-making.
“They moved him and prepared him for certain moments that he was not ready for. A lot of things that he probably didn’t understand, because they are his handlers and he trusts them the most, because they are making him a lot of money.”
With Wilder making such statements about Joshua, he could have his eyes on a bout with him a few fights down the line. Meanwhile, rumours surrounding Joshua and rival Tyson Fury continue to circulate the front pages, with potentially the biggest fight in British history seemingly on the verge of an announcement.
However, ‘The Bronze Bomber’ must first get past Finland’s Robert Helenius upon his return to the heavyweight division on Saturday October 15th. A British broadcaster is yet to be announced for the fight, but in the United States it is available to purchase on Fox Sports PPV.