Wilder has amongst four potential opponents for Joshua’s next fight but their mega-fight has now been ruled out following a statement from Saudi advisor Turki Alalshikh
Anthony Joshua will likely face the winner of Daniel Dubois vs Filip Hrgovic in September – and not Deontay Wilder.
Former two-time heavyweight world champion Joshua is set for a return at Wembley Stadium and his opponent has now become clear. Wilder was hoping to revive his chances of fighting Joshua after losing to Joseph Parker before Christmas when he fights Zhilei Zhang on June 1, but Saudi royal advisor Turki Alalshikh wants him to then face Jared Anderson instead of ‘AJ’
“The talented Jared Anderson is with us now on the August 3 Riyadh Season card at LA, against the ‘Bronze Bomber’ Deontay Wilder – if he’s ready by then to fight after June 1’s fight against Zhilei Zhang,” Alalshikh tweeted. Wilder vs Anderson would take place on the undercard of Terence Crawford and Israil Madrimov’s world title clash.
Joshua is unbeaten in his last four fights and most recently KO’d former UFC champion Francis Ngannou in just five minutes. ‘AJ’ was promised a shot against Tyson Fury or Oleksandr Usyk after his win, but the heavyweight champions are locked into a two-fight deal. Alalshikh has promised to match Joshua with the toughest opponent possible, something that ‘AJ’ is on board with.
“What he says is, ‘In the future I want people to look back at your record and say that you took on the best.’ I said, ‘Now you’re speaking my language. We’re on the same page and he’s on the same page as the fans as well. He’s trying to deliver what the fans want,” Joshua told talkSPORT.
“I know they want that big fight with Tyson Fury and he’s working on it, but Fury has got his obligations with Oleksandr Usyk so I have got to make sure I stay focused and disciplined, keep steamrolling through opponents so I can get closer and closer to having the opportunity of me vs Tyson Fury.”
Joshua also tipped Usyk to come out on top against Fury in their undisputed title clash having lost to the Ukrainian twice. “I’ve fought Usyk so I can only speak on what I’ve experienced with him – phenomenal fighter, I would say he’s gonna do a really good job. Only speaking on what I know, I have to say Usyk will be victorious,” he added.
