By Daily Sports Nigeria on May 10, 2023
Anthony Joshua’s trainer, Derrick James, has responded to the growing speculation that his man will face American knockout artist, Deontay Wilder, later this year.
Joshua and Wilder, at one stage, were tipped to fight to crown an undisputed heavyweight champion. Those talks fell apart, and both men have since lost their belts.
The matchmaking remains perhaps the most intriguing that the division can offer, and, without the shackles of mandatory challengers, looks more likely than ever.
Saudi Arabia have shown a keen interest to stage the fight this year, and are understood to have made good progress in doing so. Their intervention on the heavyweight scene also includes ambitious plans to put on Tyson Fury versus Oleksandr Usyk.
‘AJ’ split with longtime trainer, Rob McCracken, after his first loss to Oleksandr Usyk. A link up with Robert Garcia for the rematch also ended in defeat, and he sought the highly-regarded tutelage of James thereafter.
The pair have had one fight together – a unanimous decision victory over Jermaine Franklin in April.
The trainer told ES News that he knew nothing of the Wilder talks.
“I don’t know anything about it, first of all.
We’ll start working [if it happens, but] I haven’t heard it. I saw it on the internet, or whatever, but that doesn’t matter.”
James said that the bout was ‘no doubt’ big for boxing should it happen.
It’s worth noting that it’s a typical trainer stance on a rumoured fight, born from working off of confirmed information, game plans and camp schedules rather than speculation. With the clash rumoured for December, there’s still plenty of time to work.
Source Punch Ng
Posted May 10, 2023
You may also like...
Chukwueze eyes 20th LaLiga goal
Jeff Horn interested in Mundine fight, not Crawford...
Man Utd Players Need A Reality Check —...
Lagos residents lament Eagles outing
SportsDay Editor’s Mother’s Burial Holds Today
Martial, Lingard to Miss Chelsea, Liverpool Games

Aina doubtful for Villa’s Europa League clash
Oyebanji labels Oyebode football tourney talent pipeline
Adeshina bags Texas Tech student-athlete award
Portable challenges Davido, Zlatan after Carter Efe defeat
Inter plot €8m Akinsanmiro buy back after Pisa sale
Joshua’s former trainer predicts KO against Fury
Ikoyi Club set to host inter-school swimming league
Portable blames huge gambles for Carter Efe defeat
Organisers set N10m prize, Liverpool tour for Lagos tourney
Hearn labels Joshua’s boxing return ultimate comeback
3SC’s Adegoke shines as Chelle scouts NPFL players
Nigeria face Netherlands, Jamaica in 4x400m heat
Rangers International going, going . . . (63,755 views)
Amaju Pinnick: A cat with nine lives (55,077 views)
Second Term: Amaju Pinnick, Other NFF Heavyweights Home to Roost •How Pinnick Broke the Jinx (53,013 views)
Current issues in Nigerian sports: Matters arising (52,599 views)
Sports Development: Zenith Bank on the zenith (52,526 views)
Missing $150,000 IAAF Grant: Solomon Dalung’s Hide and Seek game (52,422 views)
Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje’s solid footprints, commitment to sports development in Kano State (52,272 views)
NFF Presidency: Pinnick, Maigari, Ogunjobi, Okoye in Battle for Supremacy (51,819 views)
Olopade, BET9A wave of revolution in NNL (51,011 views)
Commonwealth Games 2018: Shame of Muhammadu Buhari, Solomon Dalung (49,511 views)
Ibrahimovic’s Man U exit: Whose decision is it? And in whose interest? (47,930 views)
John Mikel Obi: Segun Odegbami’s Outrageous Call! (47,388 views)