Deontay Wilder suggested a fight with Anthony Joshua, telling the Briton “let’s do it” after the American’s points victory over Derek Chisora.
Two-time world heavyweight champion Joshua was ringside at London’s O2 Arena on Saturday to support his friend Chisora, in what is expected to have been the veteran’s final professional bout.
Joshua has largely stayed out of the spotlight since being a passenger in a car crash in Nigeria on 29 December that killed two of his friends. The 36-year-old sustained minor injuries in the crash.
He last fought on 19 December, stopping YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul in the sixth round. That win took his record to 29 wins and four defeats, and Joshua said afterwards he was ready to face long-term rival Tyson Fury next.
Fury ended a spell of retirement in January, announcing he would return to fight Arslanbek Makhmudov in the UK on 11 April.
On Saturday, Wilder, 40, walked past Joshua, fist-bumped him and said “let’s do it”, before appearing to add “He’s scared” as he walked away.
Later Wilder addressed the exchange, saying: “It wasn’t a few words, I dapped it up with him and I said: ‘Now let’s get it on.’
“I’m ready for whoever, long as these guys are in the heavyweight division, I am here.
“You can call me Mr Clean, because I want to clean up the whole division. The division is nothing without Deontay Wilder.”
