Malik Scott, trainer of Deontay Wilder, has spoke of his belief that Anthony Joshua, as well as most heavyweights, could not make it past the third-round in the ring with ‘The Bronze Bomber’.
Joshua and Wilder have been linked with a fight for years, however Eddie Hearn, who promotes the Brit, is now confident that the two former world champions will collide in 2023.
In an interview with Pro Boxing Fans, Scott said that Wilder will be ready whenever that call comes.
“I hope so. ‘AJ’ is about to fight somebody else, that not many people know of, from what I hear. Deontay is available and whenever it is that Joshua is ready, we will be waiting.”
In terms of how a fight with Joshua would go, Scott was adamant that the bout would be over quick, insisting that the former unified champion would not make it for the fourth round.
“It is a three-round fight. ‘AJ’ can’t stand in front of Deontay Wilder. A disciplined, systemised, Deontay Wilder. It’s a three-round fight.”
“Whether it is Ruiz, ‘AJ’ or whoever, if Deontay is disciplined, neither one of them guys go three-rounds with him.”
There appears to be a quiet optimism that this is the year that ‘AJ’ versus Wilder is finally delivered, with Hearn recently insisting that the lack of a world title would not stand in the way of the fight being made.
However, the long-awaited clash will have to be put on ice. Joshua is making an April comeback following back-to-back defeats and Wilder is expected to fight Andy Ruiz Jr within the same timeframe.
Nevertheless, fans will be hoping that what some still refer to as the biggest fight in the division can take place over the next twelve months.