Deontay Wilder has looked past promoters, advisors, managers and trainers to send a message directly to Anthony Joshua.
The two former champions have been in so-far fruitless talks to make a fight, with an initial date of December now pushed back to April of next year, should it be signed at all.
Following an offer from Skill Challenge Entertainment of Saudi Arabia being taken off the table, hopes from fans are at the lowest for some time that the hard-hitting heavyweights step through the ropes.
‘The Bronze Bomber’ wants to change that.
After thanking his supporters on social media, he then addressed ‘AJ’ directly, assuring him that he was ready to fight despite a lack of activity recently highlighted by promoter Eddie Hearn.
“Another thing I want to address is a fight that everyone is looking forward to and hopefully happens. I’m doing everything in my power to make it happen – I’m referring to the Anthony Joshua fight.
So Anthony – you’re hearing it from my mouth – I’m here, I’m ready, I’m ready to go. I heard some things your promoter said that my last fight only lasted a short period of time and I ain’t fought in a year and he don’t know if I want to fight or not. I’m letting you know right now, right here, I’m ready to fight man.”
He said the fight between them would be ‘historic’, and rubbished the theories of people saying Joshua ‘wasn’t ready.’
“Get in that ring. Let’s make this the best time of our lives. This would be a major disaster if we were never able to get in the ring and put our stamp down in history, bro. When people think about classics and great fights, I want them to think about us.
The silliest thing I’ve heard is people saying you not ready. I think you’re ready, I hope you’re ready, so let’s make this happen … I look forward to seeing your response bro, I talk to you soon. Love, peace, God bless.”
In the caption of the post, Wilder told his transatlantic rival ‘you must overcome your fears.’
Whether or not reaching out in this way can help find a site fee and purse that will satisfy both men remains to be seen, but if the fighters are to be taken at their words, it’s the fight they want most.