Eddie Hearn has laid into Deontay Wilder following comments the WBC champion made about Anthony Joshua’s victory over Andy Ruiz Jr.
Anthony Joshua took on Andy Ruiz Jr for a second time on Saturday 7 December, winning on points to regain the WBA, IBF, WBO, and IBO heavyweight titles.
Harsh Words
And following the fight Deontay Wilder had harsh words for Anthony Joshua, criticising his fighting style and reaffirming his belief that he’d beat the two-time heavyweight champion in a unification bout.
Speaking to The Athletic, Wilder said: “Joshua did what he had to do to get the win,”
“He ran around the ring and was on his bike all day.”
“My mentality is so different from these other fighters. But when I think of myself as a champion, you want to come out there and whoop his ass.”
“I’m not coming in, after losing to this guy, to just dance and grab and jab and hold. I’m going to show the world and convince them I am the very best and that no one is close to me.”
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ONE CHAMPION. ONE FACE. ONE NAME. #AndStill #BombZquad #WilderOrtiz2 #PBConFOX
Not Important
And Eddie Hearn has now hit out at the ‘Bronze Bomber’, and says the 34-year-old isn’t as important as he thinks he is, mocking Wilder’s ticket sales and PPV figures.
Hearn said: “We spend too much energy and time on Deontay Wilder who in the whole grand scheme of things has just boxed in America at Las Vegas and sold 7,000 f****** tickets and done about 100,000 buys on pay per view.”
“No one gives a monkey about Deontay Wilder, I’m sorry but it’s true.”
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Just woke up – thank god it wasn’t a dream! @dazn_usa @skysportsboxing @diriyahseason
Ongoing Feud
The feud between AJ and Wilder has been going on for some time, with fans eager to see the two step in the ring once and for all.
But with the WBO and IBF declaring mandatory title defences against Oleksandr Usyk and Kubrat Pulev respectively, speculation is still high around Joshua’s next fights, and it looks like fans will have to wait at least a while longer if they are to see the much sought-after showdown.
Meanwhile, Deontay Wilder is set to face Tyson Fury for the second time in 2020, following a split-decision draw in their first meeting in 2018. The fight saw Fury get up miraculously from a heavy knockdown to go the distance.
With so much going on in the careers of both heavyweight superstars, it’s hard to predict whether fans will finally get to see the clash they’ve been waiting for.
(Featured image source: Instagram/ Eddie Hearn and Deontay Wilder)