Although a change in the boxing landscape in Saudi Arabia appears to have somewhat curtailed plans for a heavyweight clash between Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder, the American’s trainer still felt the need to issue a stark warning to ‘AJ’ this week.
Skills Challenge Entertainment, the would be stagers of the fight, have reportedly taken a step back from boxing in the region, though there still appears to be a desire from both teams to get Joshua vs Wilder on.
And in an interview with Talksport this week, Malik Scott warned Joshua that he will “pay like he’s never paid before” if the pair ever step into the ring together.
“All you’ve got to do is want to punch at Deontay, which he [Joshua] will. And when he reaches and over commits, he will pay like he’s never paid before.”
“In my opinion, it’s a three or four round fight.”
Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn has stated he is willing to try and broker a deal with alternative Saudi representatives, and has also claimed to be having conversations about staging the fight in different territories.
Though most observers at this stage favour ‘The Bronze Bomber,’ Joshua would have activity on his side if the fight is to be next, having fought twice this year whilst Wilder has been out of the ring since last October.
However, there were concerning signs in ‘AJ’s most recent showing against Robert Helenius, and it would take a brave person to bet against the explosive Alabama man taking advantage of the tentativeness that has crept into Joshua’s game.