Deontay Wilder gives interview on his next fight with Zhang and future fights with Anderson and Joshua
Speaking to Sportsbook Review, former WBC heavyweight champion, Deontay Wilder, discussed his next fight with Zhilei Zhang, future fight with Jared Anderson, and shared how desperately he wants to fight AJ in the UK.
The two former heavyweight world champions had previously agreed a two-fight deal, which was scuppered by Wilder’s last loss to Joseph Parker, but it’s still a fight he yearns for.‘The Bronze Bomber’ began by revealing how he believes his next bout on June 1st will be “a competitive fight”.
Wilder remarked, “I’m not looking past Zhang at all, he’s a great fighter, it’s going to be a great, competitive fight on June 1.”
Despite such a mammoth task ahead of him in Saudi Arabia, Deontay Wilder vs Jared Anderson has been targeted for August on the first Riyadh Season card to take place in America.
“To see the announcement they made [about Jared Anderson], let’s go baby, let’s get people excited,” the 38-year-old enthused.
“I do think that for the young guy [Jared Anderson] it’s way too high of a step for him fighting me. Everybody knows it and he knows it as well.
“You have to say these things to convince yourself and to promote yourself and we understand that, but there’s one thing saying it and another doing, and on the night, if everything comes to fruition and I’m not injured from the Zhang fight and it all goes well, it’s going to be a big night for him.
“I’m not looking over this fight on June 1, I must accomplish that to move forward to the next one. I don’t have too many words to say about the next fight, it’s all about this one, it is my main focus, but if it does happen it’s going to be a great fight while it lasts.”
If Wilder emerges unscathed from his June 1 fight with Zhang, then his next fight with Anderson will fall just 64 days later, which the Alabaman is completely comfortable with, he assures, “F*** yes [I’d fight Anderson eight weeks after Zhang fight] that’s what we’re in it for. I love being active, this is what it’s all about. I am at my best when I’m active.
“When I’m inactive I have to rebuild myself up, my skills and all that. But I’ve been staying in the gym, I haven’t had one rest day. I’ve been working Monday through Saturday and it’s been a beautiful thing to have that love back again, to want to train and be eager to train.”
Not only is he willing to have two fight dates lined up together, but the ambitious American is even eyeing a third fight on the horizon with long-term rival Anthony Joshua.
“F*** yeah, it turns me on. I’ve been in situations like that when I fought the gold medalist in Moscow. We were right there in the lion’s den. You are behind enemy lines and you get a great adrenaline rush.
“That’s an amazing feeling, so I have no problem coming to London. It would be amazing for me, but the only thing that would be different in coming to Russia than the UK is I actually have major fans in the UK, and I think they’re going to show up and represent me, even though I’m fighting their countryman.
“All these fights are beautiful to talk about, but I’ve got to handle business come June 1. But it has been a long time coming for that fight with AJ. It’s easy for them to talk about it right now because I already have a task I need to accomplish, but we’ll see what type of talk they have when I accomplish my task, then there will be no more hiding, no will be able to hide, no one will be able to be outspoken without any weight behind it.
“When I do what I’ve got to do, then you’ve got to be a man of your word and do what you said you’re going to do.
“I want it [AJ fight]. I’ve never ran from a fight, I never shied away from the fight, no matter what you’ve heard over the years. I’ve never run from anyone, I’ve never dodged anyone, I’ve taken the short end of the sticks just to make fights happen, that’s the god’s honest truth. I’m here, and when I’ve done what I’m supposed to, let’s get this fight on. I want the biggest fights possible that can be made, but it all relies on June 1.
“I will pack my bags and come to Wembley happily. When I come to the UK I am welcomed with open arms, it’s amazing to see the people and to get the gratitude and hospitality I get. It makes me feel like it’s my second home.
“I like what AJ’s been doing so far, but only time will tell. Just keep winning and I’m going to be doing the same thing, I’m coming back with that fire and desire inside of me.
“And let’s see us meet. We won’t truly know until we fight and meet each other. There’s a lot that could be said right now about who he has fought to get back up to this point, but we’re not going to get into all that. I don’t care about all that.
“He got the wins and that’s all that matters. But we shall soon see, and I mean soon. Especially when you’re dealing with his excellency, I love that he’s a big boxing fan. We’re not dealing with the rankings anymore, we’re dealing with the power of money.”