Anthony Joshua aims to be a 'thinker' against 'puncher' Deontay Wilder
After despatching of Finnish fighter Robert Helenius in seven rounds earlier this month, two-time world champ Anthony Joshua now sets sights on a huge heavyweight showdown with the former WBC World champion Deontay Wilder.
Despite the Alabaman being regarded as one of the sport's most fearsome punchers, with 42 knockouts from 43 victories, the Watford man will approach the match like a game of chess, he told Fight Hub TV:
"This is a game of chess, I'm gonna take away Wilder's best attributes.
"I'm not going to stand there with my chin in the air and say, 'Hit me', I'm going nullify him.
"It will be very challenging for him, for sure."
The heavyweight rivals were heading towards a December fight date in the Middle East, reports confirm. Promoter Eddie Hearn has had extensive talks with Saudi Arabia representatives as well as Wilder's team over the past few months, so fight fans are expecting an announcement any day. However, some reports suggest the mega-fight may be pushed back to 2024.
When asked about facing Deontay Wilder in January, the 33-year-old enthused, "I'm just focused on smashing his head in now. And that's it."
He added, "Roll on. There's no worry to me when it is. I'm just happy we can get the fight going and I think people appreciate that.
"I'm doing my best to keep heavyweight boxing on the map."
BBN Editor, Tim Rickson, shared his views on the fight, "At first, I thought that AJ shouldn't go anywhere near Wilder, not while his confidence is shaken. A heavyweight with a questionable punch resistance whose confidence has sunken and mentally a little unstable at the moment should not be entertaining fighting the hardest puncher in the world, in my opinion.
"Wilder has knocked down every single opponent he has ever been in the ring with and there is nothing so special about AJ that suggests he will be any different to any of the others. That's not me knocking AJ, it's me suggesting that's no chance he will escape the fight without being hit and hurt.
"Wilder caught Fury many times over their trilogy, knocking him down a total of four times. Even in the one-sided rematch, Fury was buzzed by a right hand in the first round. Fury is more skillful, imposing and intelligent than Joshua, and a better mover, so if he got caught two or three times per round and floored four times over three fights, then how will AJ be able to go 12 rounds without getting tagged?
"Wilder isn't technically brilliant, so I fully believe that AJ can outbox him, but I don't for a single second believe he can go more than one round without being caught by him. And when that happens, he is going to feel it.
"To end on a more postitive note, it's a fight the whole world wants to see. Derrick James is gradually adding strengths and removing weaknesses from Joshua's game, so I can the improvements with each fight, but I have to question the chess tactics. That gameplan will go the same way as Wilder- Fury 1. Joshua can outbox Wilder all he wants, but one punch lands and the whole fight is turned upside down. And it will land, is the point I am trying to make here."
Joshua accepted the threat that wilder will bring, "Wilder's got a good right hand, I've got a good right hand but both completely separate fighters. We've just got to hope the other team [Wilder's] play ball as well."
Fight fans reacted to the Brit's statement:
"A win is a win. Doesn't matter how it comes. Do whatever it takes, legally, to win."
"AJ can play chess. Still gonna get sparked."
"Not the way to fight Wilder, he needs to be pushed back, bullied to some extent. Joshua is gonna get hit, he's not gonna suddenly turn into prime Pernell Whittaker."
"Joshua KO'd in the third round."
"AJ must move to his right. He must find opportunities to get inside and use his underrated uppercuts. If he stays outside, Wilder will catch him. If Wilder catches him at long range, game over."
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