Anthony Joshua has expressed his irritation after hearing the latest sounds coming out of Deontay Wilder’s camp.
The American’s co-manager Shelly Finkel gave an interview earlier this week in which he made clear their plans do not involve the Brit for the foreseeable future.
With Luiz Ortiz and Adam Kownacki allegedly lined up as Wilder’s likely next two opponents, Finkel confirmed an undisputed title fight against AJ now won’t take place until next year at the earliest.
This was the latest blow to boxing fans who have been hoping for the pair to meet in an historic showdown at some point in the last 18 months.
Despite usually staying reserved when commenting on negotiations, Joshua has now spoken out aggressively, telling Sporting News: “Wilder’s just starving the fans from an undisputed heavyweight championship fight.
“Wilder has smart people around him, he must know what he’s doing or be saying it to try and throw me off, who knows?
“He might want the fight next, but I don’t see why he would want to wait until 2020, because 2020 turns into 2021, you know what I mean?
“We need to get these negotiations on the way now in the background.
“I’ll focus on my fight, but he’s got people representing him, I’ve got people representing me that can have these conversations so we can have the fight in 2019.
“I don’t know why he must wait so long. I can’t control the division.
“I think people assume that we were the ones that are dodging people.
“They did a great campaign to make a name off the back of our success on this side of the pond and with all that talking and hearsay, none of them have stepped up to fight.
“So, what can I say? Talk is cheap.”
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