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Deontay Wilder Claims Anthony Joshua Is Running Scared From Him

Deontay Wilder Claims Anthony Joshua Is Running Scared From Him

The Bronze Bomber says AJ and his team are preventing his dream of unifying the heavyweight division

Joel Pattison

Joel Pattison

Speaking to William Hill and Oddschecker ahead of his fight with Tyson Fury on Saturday, Deontay Wilder spoke about the ongoing "will he, won't he?" with Anthony Joshua.

Wilder is clear about his desire to face the Brit, insisting that holding all of the available titles in the heavyweight division remains his ultimate aim. He said, "My goal is what I've always set out to do - it's to unify.

"After my first world title my aim was to unify. One champion, one face, one name. I won't stop until I get that.

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"I want that, I want to be able to say I was the undefeated, undisputed, the unified heavyweight champion of the world.

"No man can say that at this moment in time, all the belts are in different places. We have two champions now and no one can say it yet because of the situation that there is."

Reports earlier this year suggested that Wilder, the WBC champion, was in talks about a multi-million-pound unification bout with the current holder of three of the four major titles, but there have since been rumours that AJ and manager Eddie Hearn was not forthcoming.

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Joshua was instead forced by the WBA to face mandatory challenger Alexander Povetkin in September, defeating the Russian by knockout in the seventh round of the bout at Wembley.

When asked whether Joshua and his team were "buying time" before facing him, the Bronze Bomber replied, "Of course they've been doing that". He is adamant that the ball is in Joshua's court, saying, "We all know they don't want this fight or it would've happened".

"Of course they've been doing that. Look at all his team has been saying, even Barry Hearn [Eddie?] they've already said enough," the 33-year-old added.

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"If you're a fan of his then of course you're not going to want to see it because you want to continue to feel like you're at the top.

"People can feel whatever they want. If they want to live through something then who am I to say not to? It'll happen when it's time.

"We all know they don't want this fight or it would've happened. It would've happened, it's plain and simple. Just like with me and Fury."

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Wilder contrasted the futile talks with AJ's entourage with the direct and positive discussions he enjoyed with Tyson Fury himself. He praised Fury, saying "This fight didn't happen because we got together with our managers and promoters, this fight happened because of me and him having a discussion".

Deontay Wilder, who had won all 40 of his pro fights (39 by KO), faces Tyson Fury at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Saturday, and the Bomber is 8/13 favourite to win the bout, while Fury 6/4 to make the Americans record 40-1.

However, 61.4% of punter have backed the Gypsy King (via Oddschecker).

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