ANTHONY JOSHUA is adamant a battle with Deontay Wilder would still do ‘amazing numbers’ regardless of the American’s extensive defeat to Joseph Parker in Riyadh.
Joshua and Wilder had agreed to battle in 2024 however each needed to win their fights on Saturday’s stacked Day of Reckoning card with a view to arrange boxing’s most long-anticipated showdown.
However Parker spoiled these plans by outboxing Wilder to safe a lopsided unanimous choice whereas Joshua later crushed Otto Wallin in 5 rounds.
But regardless of their differing fortunes in Saudi, Joshua insists not all hope is misplaced of securing a future battle with Wilder.
He mentioned: “I’m not too positive what can occur from right here however I’m positive from a fan’s perspective they are going to be extra irritated. For me, I at all times perceive how this sport is. You by no means know, that is elite degree boxing and the Day of Reckoning was an incredible card. Wilder simply got here up brief however he’ll stay to battle one other day.
“Me and him can still get it on, we can still get it cracking. I believe I’m a massive threat, I still think Wilder is a threat and I still think it does amazing numbers if we get it on. I’ll leave it down to my managers, trainers and promoters. I’m down to fight anyone, whenever and whoever.”
While Wilder, in solely his second battle in two years, appeared a shadow of his former self, Joshua produced one of many single finest performances of his profession as he busted up and stopped Wallin.
Following his two 2023 victories coaching underneath Derrick James, this was Joshua’s first battle alongside new coach Ben Davison and the Londoner says his affect was key to this damaging return to kind.
“He’s a scholar of the game,” Joshua mentioned of Davison. “When we spoke he noticed what I’ve been attempting to realize within the enterprise. You know when somebody understands you and a lightbulb comes on and also you lastly get it? That was it.
“He still pushed me towards trying to achieve what I’m achieving. He hasn’t tried to change me. He still pushed me towards what I’m trying to achieve but because he knows boxing he knows what I’m trying to do and knows how to get it out of me. He switched a light bulb on for me this training camp. I wanted to stay at Finchley and not train at Harlow but I went down there. It has been good.”
This outing in Riyadh made 2023 the primary yr by which Joshua has boxed thrice since again in 2016, when he beat Charles Martin for the IBF title earlier than profitable defences towards Dominic Breazeale and Eric Molina.
Now the 34-year-old can look forward to an enormous 2024 for the heavyweight division, with Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk scheduled to fulfill on February 17 to resolve the No.1.
Joshua added: “I’ll try and be here for that. I tend not to go to many fights but Saudi is putting on some really good shows and that’s an iconic fight so I’ll try and get out here with my team. I think it’s going to be a really really good fight and I’m leaning towards Usyk but who knows? They are both at the top of their game and I wish them and hope they have great training camps. Once that fight is out of the way, the heavyweight division opens up again.”
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