DEONTAY WILDER claims a second loss to Andy Ruiz Jr will not spell the end to Anthony Joshua’s career.
But it paves the way for Brit superstar AJ to emulate Muhammad Ali and become a two-time champion.
Deontay Wilder has backed Andy Ruiz Jr to beat Anthony Joshua in their rematchCredit: Ryan Hafey/ Premier Boxing Champions
Wilder insists Joshua can bounce back and reign as a two-time championCredit: AP:Associated Press
The WBC king chased Joshua for almost two years, failing to agree a unification, before the 6ft 6in Londoner was stunned at Madison Square Garden by 19st underdog Ruiz, 30, in June.
Wilder is backing the California-based Mexican for the sizzling December 7 Saudi rematch, leaving ex-WBA, IBF and WBO champion AJ out in the cold.
Back-to-back losses for the 30-year-old British millionaire will leave him looking short of motivation.
But The Bronze Bomber – who is set to rematch Tyson Fury next year – believes the chance to emulate The Greatest should steer AJ away from an early retirement.
Wilder told SunSport: “A lot of people say ‘If he loses the second time he’s done’ – no he’s not!
“He’s not done, that’s up to him, how many people have come back and reigned?
“Look at Muhammad Ali, he reigned for longer in his second time as champion than he did the first time, that’s how you become a two or three-time champion.
“So it’s not over when you lose. You just have to start from the beginning.”
Wilder says AJ can regain his titles like the great Muhammad Ali did
Despite the encouragement, Wilder expects his PBC promotional stablemate to again leave Joshua on his hands and knees staring defeat in the face.
But the 34-year-old Alabama puncher still wants to face the Brit in his career, but warns he will not waste time squabbling in the negotiation room again.
Wilder revealed: “In my honest opinion it doesn’t matter who wins, may the best man win, but if I had to pick a winner I would prefer Ruiz to win.
“Not only will negotiations be easier, Joshua played around with us for four months and we tried to tell people about Eddie Hearn moving the goalposts.
Bronze Bomber claims negotiating a fight with Ruiz will be easier than JoshuaCredit: Getty Images – Getty
“I tried my best to give the fans what they want to see, I tried, and I know he’s in a whole other country and he can misperceive people and manipulate.
“Ruiz will be a bigger fight than Joshua. I say that as I feel he’ll beat him again and once he does it a second time, yeah he’s way bigger.
“He has the Mexicans behind him and the Hispanics, they love boxing, they love it, and he’s American too, he’s got a huge population behind him.
“But I don’t have time to waste in this sport, it’s a young man’s game so I’m trying to get the biggest fights.”
Before Wilder can focus on his scheduled February 22 rematch with Fury, or an undisputed decider, he must deal with veteran Luis Ortiz on November 23.
The Cuban, 40, gave the undefeated giant his first serious wobble in March last year, before he rallied back to earn a 10th round stoppage.
Cuban Ortiz gave Wilder his first serious wobble in March last year, before he rallied back to earn a 10th round stoppageCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Wilder and Ortiz rematch in Las Vegas for the WBC beltCredit: Ryan Hafey/ Premier Boxing Champions
And his decision to offer the awkward 40-year-old southpaw a rematch is based on more than unfinished business, with both their daughters suffering from disabilities.
Wilder also wants to show up-and-coming heavyweights how to deal with so-called boogeymen of the division.
He revealed: “I grew a bond with Ortiz. We both have a daughter born with a disability. I understand and know how hard it is to take care of a child with disorders, you need money.
“And they don’t want to fight him, and I’m tired of seeing it, he’s one of the best and none of these guys in the top 10 want to fight him.
“Because they know that Cuban southpaw style is a dangerous motherf***er and you just don’t wanna fight him, period.
“He was labelled the ‘boogeyman’ the first time, and I got tired of hearing it, and I was one of those guys who thought he was one of the best, and I think I’m the best, so there’s only one way to sort it out – we fight each other.
“We figured out he was no boogeyman, I am the boogeyman. I took that away from him.”
The WBC champ says he found out Ortiz was no ‘boogeyman’ in their fightCredit: Getty Images – Getty
During Wilder’s training camp for his Las Vegas rematch, Fury – the only man to survive 12 rounds with The Bronze Bomber – spent time working in the WWE, making his wrestling debut.
But the WBC champ had no interest in keeping up with his rival’s activity outside the ring.
He claims to have forgotten who the loudmouth Mancunian was altogether, despite their scheduled Vegas re-run.
Wilder explained: “It’s easy for me to get these guys out my head, no matter who’s next or what’s signed.
“In my eyes I’m the driving seat, I got the confidence builder and booster from both the Ortiz and Fury fights, so I’m the man that’s sitting back not worrying about no one, while these guys worry about me.
“I can have this, or that going on, but I can narrow my mind down to when it’s time to focus on one thing, that’s not a problem.
“I haven’t thought about Fury, I know what’s coming up, but he hasn’t come across my mind. It’s like he doesn’t exist to me.”
Wilder is set to rematch Tyson Fury after his second bout with OrtizCredit: AP:Associated Press
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
