Anthony Joshua does not think a fight with Deontay Wilder is necessarily off despite his latest defeat.
The American took on Joseph Parker on Saturday night in Saudi Arabia and he was soundly beaten by unanimous decision.
Parker executed the perfect game plan to beat Wilder
The plans had been that Wilder and Joshua, who knocked out Otto Wallin on the same card, would fight next, but that no longer seems viable.
Although, Joshua believes that does not mean it won’t ever happen, as he said when asked about the result: “I wasn’t watching, I was just focusing on myself for the whole fight week. I knew how important this fight was to me.
“I heard Deontay lost, so what? He will come back.
“Everything Deontay said about me, I could rip him apart right now but I’m going to take the higher ground and I hope he comes back.
Wilder and Joshua have a long-standing rivalry, but it may never be settled in the ring
“You can do anything just don’t give up, if he wants he can come back and fight another day.”
Joshua continued by making reference to Daniel Dubois, who was beaten by Oleksandr Usyk but then bounced back on Saturday night to beat Jarrell Miller.
“Look at Dubois this evening, you can come back. If he wanted to, he can come back. I’m sure everyone still wants to see that fight.”
As for Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, he is eyeing up a potential vacant world title fight with IBF number one ranked Filip Hrgovic.
“I believe this Anthony Joshua is the best heavyweight in the world,” Hearn said.
“That was a punch-perfect performance tonight. A stunning performance. One that says he is back. With this mindsight in this team, I think he is unbeatable. 2024 will be massive for him.
“It was a tough decision between the championship and Wilder. We signed for Wilder, he lost tonight, that’s OK, it happens in boxing.
“Maybe it is a blessing because this guy is about championships. He wants to become a three-time heavyweight world champion. It will be Filip Hrgovic against AJ for the world title.
“I am so happy to see him smiling and performing so well. He is a dangerous man when he is in that kind of mood. 2024 is going to be very interesting, every heavyweight should be on notice – he is back.”
