Deontay Wilder has slated the idea of Anthony Joshua retiring should he lose his hotly anticipated rematch with Andy Ruiz Jr.
The Brit superstar, 29, suffered his first professional loss on his US debut in June after a stunning upset from Ruiz.
But Wilder, 33, said AJ should not retire if he suffered back-to-back defeats to the 29-year-old Mexican-American boxer.
"It's never over for him," the 'Bronze Bomber' told World Boxing News.
"People always think when you lose it's over, but that's never the case.
"A lot of people haven't learned from all these years, they haven't learned because that's how you become a two-time, three-time, four-time world champion."
Wilder, along with Tyson Fury, fired shots at AJ when Ruiz stripped him of the WBA, IBF, WBO and IBO heavyweight titles.
But the Alabama-born boxer has now softened his tone on the Brit after his shock defeat.
"AJ had a lot of pressure on him coming to America for one, and then he was worrying about me and what I did in my performance [against Dominic Breazeale]," he explained.
"All that stuff weighs in on you. He was panicking in the dressing room and I understand all that stuff, it'll get you.
"Certain things, you want to perform and do great. Nobody never wants to lose.
"We want to do great, but when we got so much on you and so much pressure, talking about the sparring guys dropping him in sparring and stuff, it's a lot.
"When your time comes, I understand he just froze at the moment of time. But we'll see whether he can redeem himself in the second fight."
AJ's promoter, Eddie Hearn, is in talks for a second bout between the two stars after the rematch clause was activated.
And the rematch could potentially be held in New York City's Madison Square Garden in November or in December at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff.
But Hearn, 40, said that the decision would ultimately come down to AJ.
"I think it's between the UK and MSG," the Matchroom boss told SI Boxing's Chris Mannix.
"If he [Joshua] beats Andy Ruiz away Madison Square Garden, he becomes an overnight sensation.
"I spoke to him [Joshua] and said 'you're going to have a very difficult decision to make in the next 48 hours.'
"'Because I'm going to lay it all on a bit of paper for you, and I'm going to say what do you want to do.'
"As always, Anthony will decide."
Wilder, who pulled off a stunning first-round KO against Dominic Breazeale in May, also blasted Dillian Whyte for dodging a fight with him on four separate occasions.
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