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Deontay Wilder Claims Anthony Joshua Was Panicking Before Andy Ruiz Jr Loss

Deontay Wilder Claims Anthony Joshua Was Panicking Before Andy Ruiz Jr Loss

The American says that AJ couldn't handle fighting in the US and the thought of having to put on a good show for the new audience.

Ryan Sidle

Ryan Sidle

Deontay Wilder has continued to rub salt into Anthony Joshua's wound from losing to Andy Ruiz Jr by claiming that the pressure to face the Bronze Bomber to the Brit's downfall.

Anthony Joshua's loss to Andy Ruiz Jr was over a month ago but is still affecting boxing's heavyweight division and Deontay Wilder has had his say on the shock upset.

Speaking to World Boxing News the Bronze Bomber claimed that AJ's loss was down to the Brit panicking and being put under too much pressure, saying, "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, a first round KO).

"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."

Joshua didn't look right on the night against Ruiz. Image: PA Images
Joshua didn't look right on the night against Ruiz. Image: PA Images

Joshua, who'd never previously been beaten at professional level, is due to face the Mexican in a rematch later this year, although the date is yet to be set.

In the build up to the first fight the 2012 Olympic champion had learnt first that Wilder would next be facing Luis Ortiz and then later in the same week that the American would then have a rematch with Tyson Fury.

That means that the former WBA (Super), IBF and WBO champion was going to have to wait till the middle or end of 2020 before getting his shot at the WBC champion.

Wilder celebrates his first round stoppage of Dominic Breazeale. Image: PA Images
Wilder celebrates his first round stoppage of Dominic Breazeale. Image: PA Images

Wilder did seem to back his rival to bounce back, even if he lost the rematch, adding, "It's never over for him. 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."

If Wilder beats Ortiz and Fury in the next few months then his next fight after that might have to be against another Brit in Dillian Whyte.

The Jamaican born heavyweight, whose only career loss came to Joshua, fights for the interim WBC title later this month.

Will Wilder and Joshua ever fight?

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Topics:Β Heavyweight boxing, Tyson Fury, Boxing News, Andy Ruiz Jr, Andy Ruiz, Anthony Joshua, Dillian Whyte, Deontay Wilder

Ryan is a writer for SPORTbible. He covers all sport from football, formula one, cricket, rugby, tennis, athletics, mma and wrestling. He obviously hates YOUR football team and has no interest in synchronised swimming.

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