Comments Thread For: Wilder: Joshua Not Ready for Klitschko, David Price in Making'

[Chrismart]

Anthony Joshua calls for Deontay Wilder to fight tougher opponents

Anthony Joshua has admitted he is not impressed with the quality of Deontay Wilder's opponents and says boxing fans "want more" from the WBC champion.

The unbeaten American will make the fifth defence of his belt against Gerald Washington in the early hours of Sunday morning, live on Sky Sports

Wilder, who is recovering from hand and bicep injuries, was forced to contend with a change of opponent as Washington came in as a replacement after Andrzej Wawrzyk failed a drug test.

But IBF title holder Joshua has questioned Wilder's progression in the professional ranks and believes the 31-year-old still needs to prove himself as a champion.

"I think Wilder needs to fight better opposition," Joshua exclusively told Sky Sports. "Washington is good, but he's up and coming still. It was a last minute call-up as well.

"I know his last opponent failed a drugs test unfortunately, but I would love for him to postpone it for another month and get someone who could train for a world championship fight."

Joshua answered the call for him to raise his level of opposition by agreeing to battle Wladimir Klitschko at Wembley Stadium on April 29, live on Sky Sports Box Office, with the vacant WBA 'super' title also at stake.

He has urged Wilder to take a similar risk against another top heavyweight, if he successfully retains his title with a victory over Washington this weekend.

"Wilder has been a professional for around eight to nine years and I want to see a bit more, and there is nothing wrong with that," said Joshua.

"I'm speaking from a fan's perspective, because I get it. After three years as a professional, they want more, so after nine years as a fan I'm saying: 'Wilder we want more from you', and there is nothing wrong with that.

"Good luck against Washington, but I think the other contenders in the heavyweight division need challenging as well, so I think it would be good for Wilder to force these type of fights, rather than taking easy pickings."

[boxinghead530]

Wilder needs to stfu and fight a live body already. For someone who has fought absolutely nobody he is running his mouth a lot.

This one fight with Wlad tops all of Wilders career by miles and miles. And AJ has been a pro only half the time Wilder has been.

[Ray*]

This is why AJ should get respect for taking the fight. He could have done what Wilder and a lot of British boxers always do at this stage, fight and 20 bums and become 35-0.

[alexguiness]

I am no fan of Joshua and believe he (or has been) the most protected and over hyped HW in a long, long time.

However, Wilder offering his pearls of wisdom as some kind of benchmark for the HW division is patently ridiculous.

Wilder's idea of taking a risk is taking a dump in the woods.

[P.K Dionysus]

I was super critical of Wilder pre Stiverne; especially after the Malik Scott "knockout". But then he made a fan of me during a flurry in the Stiverne fight, where bombed away at Stiverne and looked like he was going to murder him. **** was epic.

That was the last epic thing he did in my opinion, and as it stands now, I have a low opinion of him again. There are certain things he can't help, like constantly coming up against roided up sacks of **** that fail their tests. He's at no fault whatsoever over that. But since beating Stiverne, his competition has been weak.

Such a shame.