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Anthony Joshua should fight me in America, insists Deontay Wilder

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Deontay Wilder insists it is time for Anthony Joshua to defend his IBF heavyweight title in America.

Joshua secured his 17th professional victory with a win over Dominic Breazeale on Saturday. His next mandatory challenger for his IBF belt would be Joseph Parker (19-0-KO16).

Joshua defends IBF title
Joshua defends IBF title

He produced a devastating seventh round stoppage.

Wilder (36-0-KO35) urged Joshua's promoter Eddie Hearn to not think about that fight and make a clash against him happen as soon as possible, despite acknowledging that he is behind Tyson Fury in a list of future opponents for the Olympic gold medallist.

Anthony Joshua, pictured with his promoter Eddie Hearn, now has to decide who he faces next.
Image: Anthony Joshua, with his promoter Eddie Hearn, must decide who to face next

Wilder will defend his WBC heavyweight title against Chris Arreola in Birmingham, Alabama on July 16. It will be the fourth defence of his belt six months to the day since he stopped Artur Szpilka in New York.

This hasn't quelled the American's desire to keep busy and he has urged Joshua to move away from his usual home of The O2.

Wilder said on Twitter: "Since the winter time you planned on @Tyson_Fury. Hey it's time to make your American debut @anthonyfjoshua. Eddie Hearn said sooner than later so let's make sooner "NOW"!!!!!"

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Deontay Wilder is the current WBC world heavyweight champ
Image: Deontay Wilder will defend his WBC heavyweight world title against Chris Arreola on July 16

In the build-up to his bout with Breazeale, Joshua said he will eventually fight in America, and that if he does, Wilder could be the man he takes on.

He said in an interview with Sky Sports: "One of the fights that I'm going to have, I will go there. The person that springs to mind is Wilder."

However, after his win over Breazeale, Joshua mentioned a couple of fights that are on his radar, but did not name-check Wilder and instead chose to focus on Tyson Fury and Parker.

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Joshua defended his IBF world title with a seventh-round stoppage of Dominic Breazeale

Joshua told Sky Sports: "I only had two weeks off after my last fight and now I want to have a nice bit of time off.

"I was looking at Tyson Fury and I hope he gets better soon because I was hoping to get that in the winter. In the meantime, we'll look at other opponents like Joseph Parker.

"I need to rest. I'm tired and I'm working hard. Now I can recharge my batteries and start afresh again."

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