DEONTAY WILDER has claimed Anthony Joshua was all set to hang up his gloves had their two-fight series not gone up in smoke.
The former two-time unified heavyweight champion continued his career rehab last weekend with a fifth-round stoppage of his old sparring partner Otto Wallin in Saudi Arabia.
Joshua, 34, despatched the Swedish slugger with the knowledge that his blockbuster series with Wilder had gone up in smoke thanks to a shock Joseph Parker win.
And Wilder has claimed he heard a “rumour” AJ would have ended his illustrious career had he added Parker’s name to his list of victims.
He told 78SPORTSTV: “The rumour was he was talking about retiring if I won… March 9th, the fight still can go on.
“But this is a perfect way for them to get out.”
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Despite Joshua still being open to facing The Bronze Bomber, promoter Eddie Hearn insists the fight is dead in the water.
And Wilder has a theory for why Hearn is touting other opponents for the Watford warrior.
He said: “They really don’t want that fight. When I lost, did you see how happy he was coming out?
“I broke out laughing, I said, ‘That n****’s happy as f**k.”
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“I made him able to perform like that. He was like, ‘I ain’t gotta fight Wilder.’”
A showdown with mandatory IBF title challenger Filip Hrgovic will likely be next for Joshua, who has been called out by the undefeated Croatian.
He told iFL TV: “A lot of options. I know I’m the next in the line. Whoever it will be, I believe I will fight for the title.
“I just want a title shot. I don’t care who it is.
“I would like to fight Anthony Joshua. He’s one of the biggest names in the sport, and I feel I can beat him.”
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
