IBF, IBO, WBA, WBO heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua strongly feels that a unification with Deontay Wilder should take place in the UK – where he believes it would draw a lot more fans.
Wilder defends his WBC world title on February 22nd, in a rematch with Tyson Fury, at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
Joshua drew 90,000 fans to Wembley Stadium in London for his unification with Wladimir Klitschko in 2017.
Joshua has less interest in staging the Wilder fight in a venue within Las Vegas – when Wembley can pack in a much bigger crowd.
Joshua made his United States debut in June, but he was stopped in seven rounds by Andy Ruiz in a massive upset at Madison Square Garden in New York City.
“80,000 people or an arena that can hold 15,000 elsewhere? It makes sense to have it here [in the UK],” Joshua told IFL TV.
“That’s probably what’s holding it up, we want it here. Obviously there’s broadcasters, but we have to look what makes sense for the division. Sometimes you’ve got to go across the pond to make it work.”
Wilder was not impressed by Joshua’s big victory earlier this month in Saudi Arabia, when the big puncher stayed at a distance with the jab and easily boxed his way to a twelve round unanimous decision in his rematch with Ruiz.
“Everyone is entitled to their own opinion,” Joshua said. “Some people say it was one of the best performances they’ve seen, they didn’t think I could do that. A lot of being have been humbled, eating their words. Wilder may say what he wants, but you take each comment with a pinch of salt. ‘The thing that matters is I’m sitting here as champion.”
Source: BoxingScene