Anthony Joshua has vowed to ‘f*** Deontay Wilder up’ when the two undefeated heavyweights eventually collide in the ring.
The WBA, WBO, IBF and IBO world champion is currently locked in discussions over a money-spinning showdown with the Alabama banger that would determine the first undisputed champion since Lennox Lewis in the early 2000s.
Matchroom chairman Barry Hearn revealed last week that where any fight would take place remains a hurdle to overcome in negotiations. But Joshua insists he is doing his utmost to ensure the fight takes place on British shores – and claims he would unleash ‘hell’ on the American when given the chance.
Anthony Joshua has vowed to ‘f*** Deontay Wilder up’ when the two eventually meet in the ring
‘I have got nothing to lose and I’m going to rain down hell on him and I’m going to f*** him up, bad. I’m going to f*** him up, you have seen it, I can definitely go to hell and back and I enjoy it there as well so this time I am going to own it,’ Joshua told Polly James at a Lyons Dem promotion Q&A evening
‘This is the situation I’m thinking, so with this Las Vegas talk, I owe it to everyone in Great Britain who have been supporting me to do my best to get this fight in the UK.’
He added: ‘In my opinion that is No 1. I have been interested in fighting Wilder for a long time but I wanted to make sure I wrapped up these belts.
‘Obviously there was a risk, but that was my plan and he has kind of said: “Cool, come and fight me in America”.
The WBA, WBO, IBF and IBO world champion is currently locked in discussions with Wilder
Joshua insisted he is doing his utmost to ensure the fight takes place on British shores
‘But the thing is with that No 1: as I said I owe it to the fans and everyone who has been supporting me to do it here and No 2: if I go there, there is a lot of tricks that they play in terms of referee and judges and that’s why I want to be at home where I am secure.’
Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn shares his fighter’s drive to make the fight in the UK and hinted recently that they would get their wish, saying on Twitter: ‘You won’t need to travel if it happens.’
Wembley Stadium has been touted as the logical venue but Joshua is also open to a third consecutive outing at the Principality Stadium, where he won the WBO title by defeating Joseph Parker in March.
But with negotiations still ongoing, Joshua’s plan of facing the WBC champion next could be derailed.
Wilder held on to his WBC crown with victory over Cuba’s Luis Ortiz in Brooklyn in March
The heavyweight champion has fought on foreign soil five times during his 40-fight career
The Brit has been ordered to face WBA mandatory challenger Alexander Povetkin, with Hearn meeting the Russian’s team for talks last week.
AJ has insisted, however, they still have a window of opportunity to get the money-spinning showdown with Wilder signed and sealed.
‘Luckily we have got enough time to make the fight happen and we are working on it, Joshua added.
‘We just sent over another draft email over to him and it is just the technical jargon that we are going through right now.
Joshua (right) also refused to rule out a third consecutive fight at the Principality Stadium