Deontay Wilder revealed he told Anthony Joshua he is ready to set up a blockbuster heavyweight bout after his victory over Derek Chisora at The O2 on Saturday night.
Wilder walked past AJ post-fight and claimed “he’s scared” after beating Chisora on points in the 50th outing of both fighters’ careers and is already targeting Joshua for number 51.
Wilder and Joshua came together more than once as the American walked past AJ in the bowels of The O2 prior to the fight and then, following his split-decision win, the pair came together again.
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Highlights from the heavyweight bout between Wilder and Chisora. Chisora vs Wilder is available to watch globally, exclusively on DAZN
This time, the pair fist-bumped and exchanged a look as Wilder said “let’s do it”, then the 40-year-old made the foul-mouthed claim about Joshua being scared a few paces later.
Wilder celebrates his win over Chisora
He then addressed the exchange when asked about it in his post-fight press conference – and was keen to dispute the terminology.
“It wasn’t an exchange,” he said. “I mean, it wasn’t a few words. I dapped it up with him, and I said, ‘Now let’s get it on’ and it was simple as that.
“I’m ready for whoever. As long as these guys [are] in the heavyweight division, I’m here. You can call me ‘Mr Clean’, because I want to clean up the whole division.
Joshua cracks a smile while watching ringside at the Chisora vs Wilder fight
“The heavyweight division is nothing without Deontay Wilder, the character that I bring, the things that I say. What other fighter do you know makes things go viral from the things they say from different interviews and stuff? I don’t know, not one.
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Following his split-decision victory over Chisora, Wilder spoke on who he could potentially fight next – and would be open to a bout with British star Moses Itauma
“With that being said, you need that type of character, somebody that’s real, somebody that’s passionate about what he says and unapologetic for what he says, because I feel what I say and I mean what I say.”
Watch Caroline Dubois vs Terri Harper and Ellie Scotney vs Mayelli Flores live on Sky Sports from 7pm on Sunday.
