Anthony Joshua is looking for some big fights in 2018 and he is not holding back after calling out Deontay Wilder, Joseph Parker and Tyson Fury on social media.
All four fighters are unbeaten, and two-belt world champion Joshua has his eyes on unification.
The WBA and IBF champion defended his titles against Carlos Takam in Cardiff and has now set his sights on unifying the heavyweight division, which means he will have to go through American Wilder an New Zealander Parker.
His promoter Eddie Hearn has confirmed talks are ongoing, saying: “The instructions from AJ is ‘I want to be the unified champion by the end of 2018’, so that means going through Wilder and Parker,” he added. “We would fight Wilder in the US. We’d love the fight in the UK. Maybe we do two of them.”
Wilder called out Joshua following his recent win over Bermane Stiverne, and Hearn admitted they talking with his camp.
“We’re not receiving any offers, any contacts, and Deontay Wilder is doing a great job of convincing people that AJ is running from this fight,” he said.
“Our job to deliver, but it doesn’t happen over night. This first meeting today may go well, it may go terribly, but fans need to know we want the fight. It will happen in 2018 unquestionably.”
The normal mild mannered Joshua took to Twitter to engage, Wilder, Parker and Fury – who is soon looking to be back in the ring.
The real anthony joshua? Because of what ?…. a swear word? Shut the fuck up. https://t.co/du6Aooy90o
— Anthony Joshua (@anthonyfjoshua) November 9, 2017
.@joeboxerparker Sips tea, continues to read tweets & refreshes email.. Still No Offer pic.twitter.com/micG0WdtuA
— Anthony Joshua (@anthonyfjoshua) November 9, 2017
& @Tyson_Fury get fit you fat fuck
— Anthony Joshua (@anthonyfjoshua) November 9, 2017
With both Hearn and Joshua confirming their desire for the big fights, Bookmakers are taking them serious.
WilliamHill make it 8/1 that Joshua fights Fury next and 4/1 he goes up against Wilder, although the favourite at the moment, is 2/1 shot, Joseph Parker.
“It is unclear what has triggered Joshua to be so active on social media but Fury and Wilder definitely appear to be in his sights,” said William Hill spokesman Joe Crilly.