Unified heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua admitted he’s already preparing for a potential mega-fight with WBC king Deontay Wilder.
In a revealing interview with Pep Talk UK, Joshua confirmed the man from Alabama is the fight he wants next, and that he’s not interested in squaring off against WBA mandatory Alexander Povetkin.
“That’s the next fight [Wilder] hopefully,” AJ said. “I got my hands free. I completed my task against Joseph Parker. I feel refreshed now, because I feel this is the last hurdle, Deontay Wilder. We’re in the process of exchanging offers, and just going through the finer details.”
Joshua also confessed that preparations for Wilder had already begun, giving us the first clear indication that we may see this fight next.
“I’m training from now for that fight because it seems to be the most important one,” Joshua said.
“We’re going through the finer details; where it will be, broadcasters, who will promote the show, where the first press conference will be; New York, LA, UK, different territories. It’s a fight I want, it’s here now,” he continued.
When asked about his mandatory challenger Alexander Povetkin, Joshua confirmed the Russian that flattened Liverpool’s David Price on his undercard back in March isn’t his priority.
“I’m not really interested in it, not right now when’s there an opportunity to fight Wilder. It has to happen this year,” he concluded.
AJ has the chance to follow in the footsteps of countryman and heavyweight great, Lennox Lewis, by becoming undisputed heavyweight champion if the Wilder fight materialises. Not bad for just his 22nd fight.