Sports

You Are Next, Wilder Tells Joshua

Byjorjapaxson3737

PublishedMarch 5, 2018

Deontay Wilder on Saturday defeated Luis Ortiz to retain his world heavyweight title then sais to fellow champion Anthony Joshua, “ I’m coming for you,”

Wilder got into trouble in the seventh round against the tricky Cuban in New York.

He got back to stop the veteran in the 10th session to keep his unbeaten record in check.

Wilder will be at ringside in Cardiff on March 31 when IBF and WBA champion Joshua, 28, bids to unify the titles against Joseph Parker.

And he said, “I am the king of the jungle. Soon there will be one name and he will go by Deontay Wilder.

He survived a scare in the seventh round to claim the 40th win of his unbeaten career following a right uppercut at the Barclays Center.

“I figured out a way to come back. A true champion always finds a way. That’s what I did tonight,” said Wilder, who has successfully defended his title seven times.

“I’m looking forward to coming to Cardiff. The UK has some of the best fans in the world.

“I’m going to enjoy myself over there, I think it’s going to be a great fight while it lasts and I look forward to fighting the winner if they want it.”

“I want to unify. I am ready whenever those guys are,” BBC Sport quoted Wilder as saying on Sunday.

Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, said that if he beats Parker a unification fight with Wilder is likely to happen this year.

“It’s the biggest fight in world boxing,” Hearn told Sportsweek on BBC Radio 5 live.

“He has the biggest test of his career against Parker but if he wins it Anthony wants to fight Wilder.

“He thinks he can beat him and Wilder is beatable, but Wilder is also very dangerous.

“Both Wilder and Joshua are electric to watch, both punch very hard and both have shown signs of vulnerability.

“You have to give the fans what they want, otherwise over time they lose interest. I think it will happen 2018. I don’t think there is any holding AJ back.”