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Deontay Wilder Launches Scathing Attack On Anthony Joshua's Performance Against Andy Ruiz Jr

Deontay Wilder Launches Scathing Attack On Anthony Joshua's Performance Against Andy Ruiz Jr

WBC champ Deontay Wilder has criticised Anthony Joshua for not going in for the finishing punch against Andy Ruiz Jr in their rematch.

Adnan Riaz

Adnan Riaz

Deontay Wilder has slammed fierce rival Anthony Joshua for using Wladimir Klitschko's "jab-grab-hold" tactics in his redemption victory over Andy Ruiz Jr.

'AJ' avenged his only professional defeat on Saturday when he picked up a unanimous decision victory over the Mexican-American star in Diriyah, Saudi Arabia.

While the 30-year-old Brit superstar managed to recapture the WBA, IBF, WBO and IBO titles, boxing fans heavily criticised him for 'running away' during the 12-round fight.

And now Wilder, who was linked with a mega-unification bout with Joshua in the past, criticised 'AJ' for having Klitschko in his camp and using the Ukrainian legend's 'boring' boxing style.

The WBC champ told The Athletic: "Joshua did what he had to do to get the win. He ran around the ring and was on his bike all day.

"Basically, he had Klitschko in the camp and he was a lot like Klitschko: that jab-grab-hold method. That's all he did tonight.

PA

"You want to dominate guys, man. Maybe I'm just too rough, too hardcore and too much of a dream for this time and era, maybe the world wants that nice s**t... my mentality is so different from these other fighters.

"But when I think of myself as a champion... you want to come out there and whoop his a*s.

"I'm not coming in, after losing to this guy, to just dance and grab and jab and hold.

"I'm going to show the world and convince them I am the very best and that no-one is close to me, especially with what's going on in the division right now. It's a time of proving who is the best.

"Joshua had many times he could've gone for the finish after he landed the right hand.

PA

PA

PA

"When you land the right hand, you've tackled the distance. When you land that punch, you know you're in exact position for the second time around.

"But he was so hesitant... Joshua's mentality was to survive. The Klitschko method.

"The difference is my mentality is that of a beast, a warrior, a king, an emperor -- all those things. If he calls himself a king, he's just on the nicer side of it.

"This is a brutal sport and that's how I treat it. I ain't showing no love for anybody in that ring."

PA

PA

When he was asked if he still wanted to pursue a unification match with Wilder, Joshua said in his post-fight press conference: "Yeah, definitely. I would love to, definitely.

"I've united four of them but it's difficult to do, difficult to keep them. We'll see what happens.

"I'd love to unite the belts but if I chase, it can come crashing down."

Unification of the heavyweight division would have to wait until late 2020 as Wilder is scheduled to rematch with Tyson Fury in February.

And the WBO has ordered for Joshua to defend his titles against mandatory challenger Oleksandr Usyk.

While 'AJ' has left the door open for a blockbuster unification bout, he has since responded to the WBO over calls for him to face the 32-year-old former undisputed cruiserweight champ.

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: Dr Steelhammer, AJ, Bronze Bomber, Boxing News, Andy Ruiz Jr, Anthony Joshua, Boxing, Deontay Wilder, Wladimir Klitschko