Anthony Joshua is just a ‘cash cow’ says Deontay Wilder

WBC heavyweight title holder Deontay Wilder has taken another verbal jab at Anthony Joshua by calling him a “cash cow” who has no chance of beating him.

American Wilder takes on Cuba’s Luis Ortiz on Sunday morning but is so confident of winning the title defence that he is already looking towards a unification bout with Joshua. WBA and IBF belt holder Joshua has his own unification bout against Joseph Parker on 31 March, but Wilder is “ready” for the British fighter.

Speaking to Sky Sports ahead of Sunday’s fight, Wilder said he has no worries about Ortiz and does not believe anyone can beat him. Wilder said: “I mean what I say, I mean what I feel and I’m ready for whoever. Anthony Joshua will barely even mention my name. Well, I’m here and I’m ready for him.

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“I am the best in the world. I’ve been saying it for years. Here is a big test. This is the fight that the fans have been waiting for. I’m going to pass this test with flying colours.

“I don’t have any worries about Ortiz at all. When I look at Ortiz, he doesn’t look powerful. I know he has nice skills like all Cuban fighters. That’s nothing to me. It’s going to be up to him to prove me wrong.

“This is the fight game and everybody knows that you need to have the confidence to be in it. I’ve had to fight all of my life because people said I wouldn’t amount to anything. Here I am standing tall, because of that confidence I have in myself and my abilities. I don’t believe any man can beat me.”

Meanwhile, in an interview with BBC Sport, Wilder has criticised Joshua for being a cash cow who’s being milked by his promoter Eddie Hearn.

Wilder, who vowed to “end Joshua’s career”, was not holding back when asked about the British star. The “Bronze Bomber” said: “We’re ready on this side of the pond. I don’t believe Hearn wants this fight at all. Joshua is like a cow, Eddie Hearn is milking him for every dollar.

“Hearn knows I’m a dangerous factor to his operation. There have been no negotiations at all, no deal has been offered. But the world wants to see me and Joshua get in the ring.

“I don’t think Joshua has enough confidence in himself to fight me. It’s all on them. If he really wants it, he can make it happen.”