Deontay Wilder
Wilder completely dominated Stiverne in their one-round rematch Getty

KEY POINTS

  • A title unification fight between Joshua and Wilder is expected to happen in 2018.
  • However, Wilder feels the Joshua camp is "hesitant" and wants one more payday.

WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder believes Anthony Joshua's camp has not finalised terms on a fight with him yet as they are "hesitant".

Joshua is expected to defend his WBA and IBF heavyweight titles against Wilder in a title unification fight sometime in 2018, having most recently defended against Carlos Takam on 28 October in controversial fashion.

The promoters of the two unbeaten heavyweights even met in New York recently and were said to have had positive talks, according to Joshua's promoter Eddie Hearn.

However, there has been no update since, with Hearn looking to finalise a fight with WBO heavyweight champion Joseph Parker instead.

It has left Wilder frustrated as the "Bronze Bomber" believes "AJ" and the rest of his camp are looking for one more payday before they end up meeting.

"I just want to prove who is the best, that's all I want to do," Wilder said via BoxingScene. "I want people to see a great fight and witness the two best heavyweights compete with each other one night in the ring."

"I think they're hesitant for a reason. They've got a great thing going. He can fight literally a guy who doesn't even have a name and can make millions and millions of dollars off him. Why would they risk taking a chance with the most dangerous heavyweight in the division?"

"They want a warmup fight. Joshua's last performance was OK, but it wasn't his best. They want to redeem that and they want to make at least one more good payday before fighting me."

Wilder has received criticism for not facing the same tier of opponents that Joshua has faced, with his most recent dominant win over an unfit Bermane Stiverne.

Hearn has always maintained that negotiations between the pair have to be fair considering Wilder's resume and profile but the American believes otherwise, claiming his win over Stiverne was a spectacular performance.

"It was a devastating knockout," Wilder added. "Being able to put on a spectacular performance like I did put the icing on the cake."

"The heavyweight division was once in a dark place but now it is coming into the light. It's exciting and I can't wait to make it even more exciting."

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