On Deontay Wilder, Anthony Joshua said, “I think it does amazing numbers, and me and him can still get it on.”
Anthony Joshua, the former heavyweight champion, does not rule out fighting Deontay Wilder following the latter’s shocking defeat by Joseph Parker.
In a battle that many had predicted Wilder would win, Tuscaloosa, Alabama’s Wilder lost by unanimous decision to Parker of New Zealand on Saturday night in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. But throughout the bout, the hard-punching American seemed reserved and Parker tagged him with some striking right punches.
Parker had scores of 118-111, 118-110, and 120-108.
Parker’s victory reportedly ruined plans for the March 9 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, fight between London’s Joshua and Wilder. But the outcome of each fighter’s fight on Saturday’s high-profile show determined who would advance to that matchup.
For his part, Joshua (27-3, 24 KOs) delivered on the deal, stopping Otto Wallin in five rounds with a strong performance that left his fans demanding that their man was “back.”
Joshua then gave himself the opportunity to fight Wilder (43-3-1, 42 KOs) at a later dateβjust not in the spring, as was originally planned. Joshua thinks there is still a lot of interest in the matchup with Wilder.
Joshua stated at the press conference following the bout, “I’m not too sure what can happen from here but I’m sure from a fan perspective they’ll be more annoyed.” “I always get how this game works for me. You never know. This boxing is at a high level. Even though Wilder was just short, he will live to fight another day.
He and I are still able to get it on and crack each other up. I think I pose a serious threat. I still believe that Wilder is a threat and, if you get it on, it performs amazingly well. However, I’ll let my management, promoters, and trainers decide that. I’m willing to battle anyone, at any time, with anyone.
Wilder made a retirement suggestion in the post-fight interview following his defeat by Parker.
