Paulie Malignaggi has weighed in with a prediction for a potential heavyweight dust-up between Deontay Wilder and Anthony Joshua.
The cross Atlantic clash, which has been years in the making, is expected to be next after Joshua produced a knockout victory over Robert Helenius at London’s O2 Arena this past weekend.
Despite the highlight reel knockout, some were critical of ‘AJ’s performance and the consensus is that he’d be up against it should a fight with Wilder materialise in the new year.
On his YouTube channel Paulie TV, former world champion Malignaggi admitted that was a view he shared, and that he doesn’t even think Joshua would “last long” against ‘The Bronze Bomber.’
“I don’t even think it [Wilder vs Joshua] lasts long. I don’t think we have the old Joshua anymore.”
“I just think everybody’s time comes and goes and I don’t think ‘AJ’ is the same guy anymore. He still fought his way through to get the knockout [against Helenius but ultimately, I don’t think we have the same Anthony Joshua anymore.”
Skill Challenge Entertainment intend to stage Joshua vs Wilder in Saudi Arabia in early 2023 and were in attendance at the O2 on Saturday night, though the fight is not believed to be signed as of yet.
One thing Joshua would have over the American is activity. Wilder has been out of the ring since last October, when he destroyed Helenius in less than a round, a showing to which Joshua’s has been contrasted over the past couple of days.