Joshua was quick to call out Wilder after defeating New Zealand’s Joseph Parker on Saturday to add the WBO title to his own IBF and WBA belts.
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Joshua added Parker’s WBO strap to his WBA and IBF titles, and moved within one belt of becoming the first undisputed champion since Lennox Lewis in 2000.
Parker’s punches continued to fall well short as Joshua’s jab proved effective for the British boxer to win a second round and continue leaving his opponent with no sign of finding his way into the contest. “I always say a prayer in the corner for success and that my opponent is safe”.
But despite Joshua’s improvement, there are still holes in his game to exploit, like retreating with a loose guard, and the “Bronze Bomber” will hardly be approaching any potential bout with trepidation as Carl Froch in his role as analyst for Sky Sports assessed.
“The Joshua that fought Carlos Takam, might not have won today, but respect to Joshua, because he lost weight, he came in fit, and he was disciplined”. I don’t get nervous.
“But the people want this fight, which I’ve said for the a year ago and a half or so”.
Joshua said: “Wilder had the WBC belt when [Wladimir] Klitschko was still fighting”. They are so erratic and unpredictable.
Wilder’s last win over Luis Ortiz caused a stir Stateside but previously the Alabama native has not got much attention even in his homeland which means his earning power is far less than Joshua, who pocketed £18m for Saturday’s win.
“If he’s really looking to push towards that global reputation, if he wants to be remembered somewhere among all the great names, he is going to have to go to the United States”, Costello said.
“If they stepped up and were actually serious about the fight, and serious about a deal we are more than happy to offer them, it could happen next”.
Joshua had a 15 cemtimetre reach advantage over Parker in yesterday’s heavyweight champion unification bout.
“I’d fight him next”.
“I was beaten by the better man”, Parker said after losing for the first time in 25 fights. I asked Eddie has anything been said?
But Parker did show that he deserves to be on the same stage as Joshua.
But he added in his later news conference: “If there was healthy offer [to fight in the U.S.] I will consider that”.
On going the distance for the first time in his career, Joshua declared: “12 rounds baby, I thought it was hard, right?”
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Almost a stone lighter than in his last fight, against Takam, he moved with noticeably more nimbleness, in and out of range, and generally looked sharper. “I am the man”.
