Anthony Joshua has demanded a title fight with the winner of Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury, and says it must happen in 2020.
Joshua became two-time heavyweight champion on Saturday 7 December when he defeated Andy Ruiz Jr in their rematch in Saudi Arabia.
The British superstar had previously lost his WBA, IBF, WBO, and IBO titles to Ruiz Jr in June, but schooled the Mexican-American in their second meeting to reclaim them.
And Joshua has again expressed his desire to add the WBC heavyweight belt to his accolades, demanding a title fight with either Deontay Wilder or Tyson Fury next year.
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‘Lord of the Rings’
Wilder and Fury will go head-to-head in February for the WBC title and AJ will be looking to swiftly take it off the victor’s hands.
Speaking to the BBC, he said: “I feel like it’s ‘Lord of the Rings’, the last ring, let’s get it on, let’s make history,”
“It has to happen in 2020, we’re in the same division, same era, if these guys want to make history, especially Wilder because he has the last belt.”
“We created history by becoming a two-time champion of the world and I feel like we can add to that legacy in 2020.”
Joshua’s WBC ambitions could be held up by mandatory title defences, and if the fight is to take place it would likely be very late in the year.
The 30-year-old will be required to defend his WBO and IBF titles against Oleksandr Usyk and Kubrat Pulev.
But the 30-year-old has no worries when it comes to defending his current belts. Asked about the WBO’s order that he must face mandatory challenger Usyk within six months, Joshua replied: “In 180 days? Let’s rock and roll mate.”
“No problem.”
Watch below:
Let’s get Undisputed trending! That’s what I want & that’s what the people want..
I want it bad! I came to take over & not take part!
— Anthony Joshua (@anthonyfjoshua) December 13, 2019
Obstacles
There are other obstacles standing in the way of a showdown with Fury or Wilder. Dillian Whyte is now reinstated as WBC mandatory challenger and is looking to have the first dig at the titleholder.
Another concern lies within the Wilder camp. The ‘Bronze Bomber’ has expressed concerns over coming to the UK after the way Whyte’s doping case was handled.
But it seems that once he’s faced his mandatory opponents, AJ knows exactly where his ambitions lie.
He wrote on Twitter: “Let’s get Undisputed trending! That’s what I want & that’s what the people want..
I want it bad! I came to take over & not take part!”
Let’s get Undisputed trending! That’s what I want & that’s what the people want..
I want it bad! I came to take over & not take part!
— Anthony Joshua (@anthonyfjoshua) December 13, 2019
Undisputed Dreams
No doubt the champion will do his utmost to make a WBC title bout happen as he looks to become undisputed champion and conquer the boxing world once and for all.
(Featured image source: Twitter/ BBC Sport and Michael Benson, talkSPORT)