Former two-time Boxing Heavyweight Champion, Anthony Joshua, has hit back at the recent statement issued by Deontay Wilder over his identity as the world counts down to their next clashes on December 23 in Saudi Arabia.
Joshua and Wilder will co-headline the big event in different fights as Joshua will face Otto Wallin while Wilder will battle it out with Joseph Parker.
If they win their respective fights, there is a good possibility of them fighting in the first half of 2024.
Wilder feels Joshua is questioning his own identity because he wasn’t fully made by his own potentials.
Wilder said: “I worry about every fight he is in. We question Joshua about his identity. Eddie Hearn built Anthony Joshua, he wasn’t born a champion, he was made a champion.
“They did an amazing job of promoting him and getting him to the top. I would’ve been the undisputed heavyweight world champion many years ago if I had the opportunities he was given.”
Joshua does not agree with Wilder’s take on the matter. He said he remained strong in his identity even if he achieved it quicker than Wilder.
He said: “Who the f— is he? He’s a boxer, not a psychologist. The boy has had 50 fights and he fought Jason Gavern in his 30-something fight, I probably fought him in my twelfth.
“We are different, my identity is strong. If they’re looking for weaknesses and gaps, then they need to stop looking over here because I’m solid.”
