Deontay Wilder is set to face Zhilei Zhang on the Matchroom vs Queensberry card in Riyadh on June 1
Deontay Wilder has expressed his eagerness for a fight against Anthony Joshua in London, describing it as “a long time coming”. The American heavyweight contender is looking to rebuild his career after a disappointing performance against Joseph Parker in December.
Originally scheduled to face Joshua in Saudi Arabia in March, Wilder’s lacklustre showing against Parker cost him the opportunity, reports the Express. However, the 38 year old is hopeful of making a comeback when he takes on Zhilei Zhang at the Matchroom vs Queensberry event in Riyadh on June 1.
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Despite years of speculation, a fight between Joshua and Wilder has never come to fruition, largely due to promotional politics. Yet, Wilder is optimistic that if he can defeat Zhang next month, the much-anticipated fight will finally happen.
Speaking to Sportsbook Review about the prospect of facing Joshua in London, Wilder said: “Yeah, it turns me on.” He added: “I have no problem coming to London. It would be amazing for me.
“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.
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“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. I’ve never ran from a fight, I never shied away from the fight, no matter what you’ve heard over the years,” he said. “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.”
Wilder also has his heart set on a fourth fight with Tyson Fury. The pair first met in 2018 with the bout ending in a draw before Fury won the rematch and the trilogy fight by stoppage in 2020 and 2021 respectively, with Fury set to face Oleksandr Usyk in a week.
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“”I want to make Tyson Fury pay so bad, so bad,” he said. “I don’t think that chapter is over with. I could see a fourth fight. I could see a fourth in the making, created by the creators. The Saudis have the source and the power to make it all happen. I want to get it back so bad.”
