Deontay Wilder believes that Anthony Joshua could have beaten Tyson Fury if their proposed December bout had gone ahead.
The two heavyweights had been in discussions for a big ‘Battle of Britain’ showdown after Fury offered Joshua the fight following the latter’s second successive defeat against Oleksandr Usyk.
READ MORE:
-
George Warren says Anthony Joshua’s team had ‘no ambition’ in negotiating Tyson Fury fight
-
Chris Eubank Jr vs Conor Benn: The weight, the fathers and the risks for both
-
Fury vs Joshua: When negotiations robbed us of dream boxing fights
Matchroom Boxing’s managing director Eddie Hearn later confirmed that the fight was off but reiterated that it was “still open discussions.”
Now former WBC champion Wilder, who fought Fury in a trilogy, drawing the first and losing the second and third clashes, has come out and said that he would back Joshua to win the dream bout.
Speaking on Dan Rafael’s Fight Freaks Unite, the American said: "I can see Anthony Joshua beating Tyson Fury.
"I know that’s crazy – some people would think so.
"But I could really see Joshua winning that fight.
"I think if he changes certain things mentally, he could come back and redeem himself more than ever.”
Joshua’s mentality has been deemed as a stumbling block by many in the boxing world of late.
“I think he doubts himself a lot. I know what it takes to be a warrior, a killer. The energy, the feel. I don't sense that from him,” Wilder explained.
“Physically he can get everything done, but sometimes it's just that mental part.”
The 36-year-old is set to make his comeback in the boxing ring this month against Robert Helenius.
He hasn't fought in a year since his third contest with Fury in Las Vegas but claims he has ambitions of fighting the top three heavyweights before retiring.
Wilder wants to take on Fury in a fourth fight - despite losing twice and drawing once already.
And he would like to take on Joshua as well as WBA, IBF, WBO and IBO champ Usyk.
Wilder claimed a fourth fight with Fury is "inevitable" and a showdown with Joshua "will get done when it’s time."
