Deontay Wilder’s trainer wants Anthony Joshua ‘next’ and boldly claims ‘it’s a three-round fight’
- Lewis Oldham
- 11 January 2023
Deontay Wilder’s trainer – Malik Scott – has indicated that he would love his fighter to face former heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua next.
The American is coming off an impressive comeback victory against Robert Helenius. The Finnish heavyweight was stopped inside one round by his heavy-handed rival.
Joshua, meanwhile, has lost his two fights against Oleksandr Usyk and he is looking to rebuild this year, with promoter Eddie Hearn hoping that he will fight three times.
The Brit has not fought three times in one year since 2016, so boxing fans should not hold their breath on that.
Wilder is more likely to face Andy Ruiz Jr in a world title eliminator next, while Joshua is set to fight a top 15 heavyweight.
Scott has claimed that Joshua would be "in trouble" if he fought Wilder.
"If it were up to me, Wilder would fight Anthony Joshua next," Scott told Kate Abdo on The Good Fight.
"The mental strength right now may not be there because he lost two times to a smaller guy.
"So, to go against that specimen called Deontay Wilder, you may need to build yourself up to take on that kind of fight. I get it."
🤣”There’s absolutely no way that AJ fights Deontay Wilder any time soon”
— Fight Disciples (@FightDisciples) January 9, 2023
😳”I’m told he’s fighting Demsey McKean”
‼️”I’ll be amazed if he has 3 fights this year”
We’re talking about the next 12 months for AJ.
WATCH👉🏻 https://t.co/kc0ngQ96tx
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Scott added: "The advantages and the things I see Deontay doing to whatever AJ shows up - mentally tough, not mentally tough - it's a three-round fight in my opinion.
"He can't get out of the way. Deontay's not a big guy that punches hard, but he's slow. He's not a guy that hits hard, but there's distance.
"No, it comes fast. If you can't get out of the way of it, you're in trouble. And I believe AJ is in trouble if he signs the contract."
Joshua vs Wilder is a fight fans have clamoured for over the past few years but unsurprisingly, it is yet to happen.
With both fighters now vying to reclaim a world title, there is no reason why they should not clash en route to world glory this year.
Joshua is set to fight Dillian Whyte in a huge domestic rematch in the summer and in an ideal world, he would fight Wilder toward the end of 2023.
But again, this is boxing, so we should not get our hopes up.
