Anthony Joshua hits out at Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury 'He’s more interested in fighting Tyson Fury. Tyson Fury holds no world titles'

Sport 13:08 14.12.2018

Anthony Joshua has finally responded to months of taunts from Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury during an appearance on US TV.

From the moment their bout was announced, Wilder and Fury proclaimed Joshua to be a “coward,” “chicken,” and so on, due to the fact talks collapsed for a bout between AJ and the American.

Despite this criticism, the Watford man remained quiet, however he has now hit back when asked about Deontay Wilder’s claims that he is ‘avoiding’ an undisputed title fight.

“My situation is that: He [Wilder’s] saying that I won’t fight him,” Joshua told ESPN First Take, “As I’ve said, I’m willing to fight Deontay Wilder – April 13th in London.

“So I don’t know what more I have to do to get that message across. He’s more interested in fighting Tyson Fury. Tyson Fury holds no world titles.

“Let me say this, I can’t control what Deontay Wilder does, I can’t control what Tyson Fury does – or even as far as what they say.

“But what I can do is control what I say and what I’m doing. I made sure, with the negotiations, I’ve booked the date in advance, set the venue in advance, and I’m making my point clear in front of everyone watching.

“I’m willing to fight any one of these guys, especially the champion Deontay Wilder, April 13th at Wembley. What more can I say?”

When asked about alternative opponent Fury – who most people believe beat Wilder despite their bout ending in a draw on December 1 – Anthony Joshua gave mixed messages.

“I’m not interested in Tyson Fury, because he’s not the champion,” he continued, “That’s where I’m coming from.

“That ‘lineal’ status, when I was joining the heavyweight ranks no one told me about lineal champion. I knew about WBC, IBO, IBF, WBA, and WBO. I’ve got my hands on four of them. So I don’t know where this lineal just popped out of the woodwork from.

“But if I’ve got to get my hands on that too, and that’s a belt that the world’s interested in, Fury can step in if he’s serious.

“That’s where I’m coming from, I wanna fight the champions.”

With Deontay Wilder vs Tyson Fury producing thrilling action which caused both men’s stock to rise on December 1, Anthony Joshua has naturally received flack as part of the aftermath, given that he was the odd one out – not taking part that night.

The critics seem to have had some impact on the 29-year-old, as he felt the need to defiantly defend his position as the interview progressed.

“I’m the one leading the pack,” declared AJ, “I’ve been doing that since I made my debut. Five years in, seven world title defences, and I’m running the game. I mean business.

“And I don’t know what more I got to do to get that message across to the world.

“As I’ve said, maybe because I’m not on here with ice around my neck, flashing jewels, talking about PPV numbers – that’s not really my swag – but I handle my business, that’s where I’m coming from. I’m about my business and I do that in the ring.”

Azerbaijan Defense Minister informs NATO chief on situation in Azerbaijan-Armenia conditional border -VIDEO

News line

EU to impose tariffs on Russian grain
10:11 19.03.2024
Embassy of Azerbaijan in France appeals to Azerbaijanis
10:00 19.03.2024
Azerbaijani oil price exceeds $88
Azerbaijani oil price exceeds $88
09:48 19.03.2024
Mehriban Aliyeva makes post on Last Tuesday before Novruz Holiday
09:35 19.03.2024
Pashinyan: Delimitation process between Armenia and Azerbaijan entered practical stage
09:00 19.03.2024
Pakistan restricts foreign travels of ministers, government officials
Pakistan restricts foreign travels of ministers, government officials
20:39 18.03.2024
EU to boost military support fund for Ukraine by EUR 5 bln — Hungarian foreign minister
20:00 18.03.2024
Industrial zones to be created in Azerbaijan’s Zangilan, Jabrayil, and Gubadli
19:16 18.03.2024
Reuters: Only an oil slump can stop Russia
19:00 18.03.2024
Top Hamas operative killed in hospital raid, IDF says
Top Hamas operative killed in hospital raid, IDF says
18:33 18.03.2024
President Ilham Aliyev congratulates people of Azerbaijan on occasion of Novruz holiday - UPDATED
18:00 18.03.2024
Jens Stoltenberg: We fully support Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity
Jens Stoltenberg: We fully support Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity
17:47 18.03.2024
2 dead, 6 injured in Türkiye factory explosion
2 dead, 6 injured in Türkiye factory explosion
17:28 18.03.2024
Armenia’s anti-Russian policy reaches new level
17:11 18.03.2024
"The Middle Corridor plays a key role for Green Energy" - Expert Ali Pasha
16:45 18.03.2024
Central square of Khankandi named “Victory Square”
16:22 18.03.2024
President: We demonstrated tremendous heroism during the II Karabakh War and the anti-terror operation
16:16 18.03.2024
Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Muhammad Yunus visited IEPF - PHOTOS - VIDEO
16:00 18.03.2024
Historic opportunity emerged to advance the Azerbaijani-Armenian peace agenda - FM Bayramov
15:21 18.03.2024
Bayramov and Stoltenberg discuss normalization process between Azerbaijan and Armenia
15:03 18.03.2024
Azerbaijan Defense Minister informs NATO chief on situation in Azerbaijan-Armenia conditional border -VIDEO
14:58 18.03.2024
Stoltenberg's visit to the Caucasus: "NATO is in panic" - OPİNİON
14:29 18.03.2024
Hikmat Hajiyev holds discussions for upcoming COP29 with Chinese Vice FM
Hikmat Hajiyev holds discussions for upcoming COP29 with Chinese Vice FM
14:00 18.03.2024
Stoltenberg concludes his official visit to Azerbaijan
13:42 18.03.2024
Geomagnetic storm expected on March 20
13:33 18.03.2024
Mbappe celebrates his 250th goal in PSG
Mbappe celebrates his 250th goal in PSG
13:19 18.03.2024
President Ilham Aliyev makes a phone call to Vladimir Putin
13:00 18.03.2024
President Ilham Aliyev lit Novruz bonfire in Khankandi and congratulated Azerbaijani people
12:34 18.03.2024
Foreign students attacked in India over Ramadan prayers
12:30 18.03.2024
Spring comes to Northern Hemisphere
Spring comes to Northern Hemisphere
12:17 18.03.2024
Why does Azerbaijan matter to the European Union? - OPINION
12:00 18.03.2024
Number of human remains found in mass grave in Khojaly reaches 19
11:45 18.03.2024
Hikmat Hajiyev meets Pakistani envoy to China
Hikmat Hajiyev meets Pakistani envoy to China
11:33 18.03.2024
EU Council to discuss Armenian-Azerbaijani normalization
11:23 18.03.2024
Global Terrorism Index: Azerbaijan among countries with highest anti-terror rating worldwide
10:56 18.03.2024
Oil prices keep rising
Oil prices keep rising
10:40 18.03.2024
Stoltenberg: NATO looking forward to further strengthening partnership with Azerbaijan
10:23 18.03.2024
Azerbaijani police found numerous weapons and ammunition in Khankandi
10:10 18.03.2024
President Ilham Aliyev: There is a good chance for settlement of Azerbaijan-Armenia relations
09:57 18.03.2024
Putin warns about possible war between Russia and NATO
09:40 18.03.2024
Hamısı