IBF, IBO, WBA heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua (19-0, 19 KOs) has fired back at the recent statements that were made by WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder (38-0, 37 KOs).

Two days ago, Wilder erupted on Joshua - because of various reports that he read, indicating that Joshua would require more time to get prepared for a potential unification between them.

On October 28th in Cardiff, Joshua will make a mandatory defense of his title against Kubrat Pulev of Bulgaria. And then a week later, on November 4th at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, Wilder will defend his belt against mandatory challenger, Bermane Stiverne.

Based on what Wilder's read, Joshua may not be ready until 2019 or 2020. He believes Joshua is waiting for him to get old - which is what Wilder says the unbeaten Brit did to Wladimir Klitschko earlier this year.

In less than two years, three of Wilder's opponents have fallen out due to failing pre-fight drug tests. He wonders if Joshua is postponing their meeting in order to avoid a random drug testing protocol, which is mandatory for any fight involving a WBC world title.

"I just want to know what the hell is going on in the heavyweight division? I have just woken up to multiple articles from Anthony Joshua saying he isn't mentally, physically or emotionally ready for me. He may take up to 2020 until he can build up the courage to really fight me. Basically he is trying to get me old. I ain't getting old any time soon. Trust me," Wilder said.

"I am the most feared heavyweight in the division. None of the best don't want to go down and lose their record. Eddie Hearn told me Joshua will knock me down in three. Then let him fight me! It's either two things, you're scared or you're doping. Make the motherf***ing fight then, why you scared?"

Joshua says he is more than ready for Wilder - warning that a showdown will come sooner than later - and when it does there will be damage inside the ring.

"All these guys talk about me all the time and it's negative, always negative, but sooner or later I'll be ramming my jab down their throat," Joshua told Sky News when advised of Wilder's statements.

"It's not a matter of if, it's just a matter of when when it comes to the likes of David Haye and Deontay Wilder because there has been no era of boxing where heavyweights, middleweights, welterweights haven't come together. We have to fight each other and that's just the way it's going to go."