Anthony Joshua has the IBF, WBA (Super), IBO and now the WBO heavyweight titles after Saturday’s decision win over Joseph Parker. He’s the unified champion of his division at 28 years old and 21 fights into his career. But there’s still another belt out there, a belt that would make him the undisputed champion: the WBC title held by Deontay Wilder.
Anthony Joshua calls out Deontay Wilder after beating Joseph Parker
Joshua looked great in taking the WBO title from Parker, but now he wants Wilder’s WBC belt to become the heavyweight undisputed champion.
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And Joshua wants it. Asked after Saturday’s win who he wanted next, Joshua made it clear that Wilder is the guy. He said “Wilder” in response to the question multiple times. He was asked directly “Do you want to become undisputed heavyweight champion of the world?”
His response was a loud and enthusiastic “100!”
“I am the unified heavyweight champion of the world,” Joshua also said. “Twenty-one professional fights. Six world championship fights. Does that show you where I’m going?”
The fight with Wilder was the one many wanted even before the Joseph fight. Technically, Joshua was already the unified champion even without the WBO belt he took from Parker on Saturday. But Wilder is 40-0 as a professional, and has just enough left in the tank to make a bout with Joshua extremely enticing.
“I’m not about the hype,” Joshua said. “I’m about business. Let’s get the business done. I’ve got the time,” ending his thoughts with, “Wilder! Let’s go, baby! Let’s go!”
After Parker was interviewed on the broadcast, Joshua was given another chance to speak and he delivered a quote not about his future with Wilder or whoever he winds up fighting, but about unity — fitting from the unified champion.
“It’s all about unity,” he said. “Look at all the people in this place from different backgrounds and different places. We all come together for the love of sports. So make sure this positive energy don’t stay in the arena, make sure you take it out of this arena, have a good time this evening. Unity man, there’s power in the people. God bless.”
Wilder, 32, is 40-0 and coming off a TKO win over Luis Ortiz earlier in March. He has defended his WBC belt seven times.
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