ANTHONY JOSHUA has had the gauntlet laid down to him by Deontay Wilder’s team.
A blockbuster showdown between the two heavy hitters is closer than it’s been since they held all the heavyweight marbles.
Since that time Joshua has suffered back-to-back defeats to Oleksandr Usyk.
Meanwhile Wilder lost his belt in a trilogy with Tyson Fury but returned to the win column with a brutal first-round KO last October.
Now coach Malik Scott wants him to settle the score with Joshua – sooner rather than later.
He told iFL TV: “You have Deontay and Andy Ruiz mandated for the WBC, but then you have people raving for Anthony Joshua and Deontay to fight, and that actual fight is bigger than the WBC mandation.
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“We’ll just see.
“I want Deontay to fight AJ – I think that’s the biggest fight in the history of the heavyweight division.
“I want to see them in the ring with each other, because I don’t believe it will go more than three rounds.”
Former WBC heavyweight champ Wilder was mooted as a potential opponent for Joshua’s comeback fight in April.
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But AJ’s team have turned their attention elsewhere, much to the annoyance of Scott.
He told Best Sports Betting Canada: “At one time it looked like we’re getting ready to get a Deontay-AJ fight made.
“Then you hear AJ and his team want to do other things.
“It seems like he’s ducking all my heavyweights. You have got to fight one of my heavyweights, man, we’re waiting on you over here.
“You’re ducking Deontay Wilder, Gerald Washington is ready to fight right now, in top condition, mentally and spiritually and physically.”
Joshua, 33, is on the fringes of world title contention following his split decision loss to Usyk last August.
And promoter Eddie Hearn admits a third loss on the bounce could be curtains for his career.
The Matchroom Boxing chief told iFL TV: “You go into that fight in April and you know that defeat, it’s all over, really.
“It would be a third back-to-back defeat and yet a great performance and a showroom knockout will get everyone saying, ‘We’re back, baby.’
“That’s what I can’t wait for because I love it when our backs are against the wall.
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“I’m excited. I’m really excited.
“This is the most excited I’ve been in Joshua’s journey so far.”
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
