Everybody wants to fight Anthony Joshua, but not everyone can claim to good enough.

Deontay Wilder took a massive step towards possibly securing a bout with AJ in the near future after his come from behind win over Luis Ortiz in Brooklyn this last weekend.

Wilder found himself in the unique position of needing a knockout to preserve his unbeaten record and in tenth round he delivered the the telling blow.

The American has only once needed all twelve rounds in 40 fights throughout his career and it is becoming increasingly difficult for the Joshua camp to ignore Wilder.

However, Wilder’s performance against the Cuban Ortiz came in for heavy criticism after he barely made it out of the seventh round as Ortiz attacked with little or no reply.

The 32-year-old’s technical ability was put under the microscope as he struggled to cope with Ortiz’s awkward approach

Former two-weight champion Paul Malignaggi believes that Wilder has what it takes to beat Anthony Joshua though, despite the questions surrounding his most recent victory.

Malignaggi was on commentary for the Wilder/Ortiz fight and sung the praises of his compatriot post-fight.

Malignaggi feels Wilder’s style is better suited to fighting a right-handed opponent as that would allow his dangerous jab to really come into its own.

“That is a key factor against a Joshua or somebody else – how dominant a jab Deontay Wilder has.

“Don’t let this fool you tonight because he fought a southpaw who knew how to take that away from him.

“[He showed] character. He was hurt, he was behind. I don’t care what the judges were watching, he was behind in that fight.

“He was given sympathy rounds – I hate when judges feel almost guilty to not give the favourite a round in the first four. He lost all four rounds.

“He threw about four punches in four rounds.

“But that shows the character right there, he didn’t get discouraged. Maybe he looked like he was running out of ideas but he didn’t get discouraged.”

Anthony Joshua will face Joseph Parker in Cardiff on March 31 in what is potentially the biggest fight of the year.

Who he will face after Parker though, remains to be seen. It could quite well be Deontay Wilder.