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.”
