Deontay Wilder declares war on Anthony Joshua
American calls out Briton after brutal display
Deontay Wilder declared “war” on Anthony Joshua after defending his WBC heavyweight title for the sixth time in brutal fashion.
Wilder sent Bermane Stiverne to the canvas three times in the opening round at Brooklyn’s Barclay Centre before referee Arthur Mercante Jr stepped in.
It was the American’s 39th straight win – 38 by knockout – and immediately afterwards he threw down the gauntlet to Britain’s Joshua, who holds the IBF and WBA belts.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Wilder said: “I’ve been waiting on that fight for a long time now. I declare war upon you. Do you accept my challenge?
“I know I’m the champion, I know I’m the best. Are you up for the test? I want Joshua. No more dodging, no more dodging, no more excuses… make the date, don’t wait.”
Joshua spoke of his desire to unify the heavyweight division following his victory over Carlos Takam in Cardiff last month but The Telegraph reports the manner of Wilder’s destruction of Stiverne may delay the showdown until 2019.
“Such was the statement from the Alabaman over an overweight Stiverne, that the fight that should be held at Wembley Stadium next summer, unifying three titles, may well have set the Joshua camp thinking about a couple more fights before the American has the opportunity to upset the gravy train.
“It has become a cat-and-mouse battle, with both sides claiming they want the unification fight, though there were also whispers here that Joshua, and promoter Eddie Hearn, may be in talks with broadcasters HBO – Joshua has one more fight on his deal with US rivals Showtime – and if that happens, we may have to wait even longer for the showdown.”
Joshua has been regarded by many as the heavyweight division’s top dog since his victory over Wladimir Klitschko at Wembley Stadium earlier this year.
But the merciless way in which Wilder disposed of Stiverne on Saturday night may prompt some to rethink that assessment with promoter Lou DiBella warning in The Guardian: “He will put Anthony Joshua to sleep. No one punches like him, no one has the reach he has, no one has the one-punch power he has. He’s the scariest heavyweight on the planet.”
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
4 ways to give back this holiday season
The Explainer If your budget is feeling squeezed, remember that money is not the only way you can be generous around the holidays
By Becca Stanek, The Week US Published
-
4 tips for hosting an ecofriendly Thanksgiving
The Week Recommends Coming together for the holidays typically produces a ton of waste, but with proper preparation, you can have an environmentally friendly gathering.
By Theara Coleman, The Week US Published
-
Jussie Smollet conviction overturned on appeal
Speed Read The Illinois Supreme Court overturned the actor's conviction on charges of staging a racist and homophobic attack against himself in 2019
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Is it time for Anthony Joshua to retire?
After his latest brutal defeat, British boxing's 'poster boy' has a difficult choice to make
By Rebekah Evans, The Week UK Published
-
Mason Greenwood: footballer arrested on suspicion of rape and assault
Speed Read Man Utd confirm the striker will not train or play until further notice
By The Week Staff Published
-
Handball: swapping bikini bottoms for tight pants
Speed Read Women competitors will be required to ‘wear short tight pants with a close fit’
By The Week Staff Published
-
Cristiano Ronaldo’s second coming
Speed Read Last week, Manchester United re-signed the forward on a two-year deal thought to be worth more than £400,000 a week
By The Week Staff Last updated
-
Bank holidays and boycotts: are MPs trying to jinx England?
Speed Read Declaring a bank holiday would be ‘tempting fate’, says Boris Johnson
By The Week Staff Published
-
Weightlifting: Olympic Games set for transgender first
Speed Read New Zealand weightlifter Laurel Hubbard will make history at Tokyo 2020
By The Week Staff Published
-
Sport shorts: Champions League expansion plan to be agreed
Speed Read News and reactions from the world of sport, featuring Joachim Low and the Lions women’s team
By Mike Starling Published
-
Sport shorts: Sturgeon slams Rangers fans over title celebrations
Speed Read News and reactions from the world of sport, featuring Keely Hodgkinson and Bryson DeChambeau
By Mike Starling Published