As fight fans eagerly await arguably the biggest bout of 2018 so far in Anthony Joshua vs Joseph Parker, the name Deontay Wilder still lingers in the background.

There is no question that Joshua is a man in hot demand in the heavyweight division and he has certainly earned the right to choose who he comes up against.

While Parker is a worthy opponent, it is a fight between Joshua and Wilder which will sort out the arguments over who is the better fighter.

However, you get the sense that the Joshua camp is getting more than a little put out by the constant game being played by the undefeated American.

Joshua's promoter Eddie Hearn let fly at Wilder over the news that he may not be in attendance in Cardiff this weekend.

The video further down this article shows the reaction of Hearn.

Another fighter came into the equation over the weekend and that man is Dillian Whyte.

The 29-year-old claimed a thumping six round knockout of Australian Lucas Browne on Saturday night, and in the aftermath, immediately demanded a WBC title shot, which is the belt currently held by Wilder.

Whyte looked directly into the TV cameras and said: "Deontay Wilder where you at? Let's go, let's go, let's go.

"I'm ready. Let's do this. I'm No 1 baby, let's go. I've proved I'm world class.

"I've worked hard. I've been up in Loughborough working hard and training in some c**p garage, cold as hell, no heating, training my nuts off — and it paid off."

For what it is worth, Wilder finds the current situation very humourous.

He posted on Instagram a still of promoter Eddie Hearn with Whyte.

Under Hearn's face Wilder wrote: "We will call out Wilder after the fight to take pressure off Anthony Joshua."

Then under Whyte it read: "You trying to get me f***** up!"

Anyone who knows the history of boxing knows that organising bouts is just as much a battle of brinkmanship than anything else.

A true case of who will blink first as one party wants the other to chase them until the deal is settled. It can be a tiring and at times farcical facade.

Watch the video of Hearn here. [Scroll to 1:30 for the start of Wilder conversation]

It is hoped that Wilder and Joshua will eventually sort out any differences as it is certainly the contest that fight fans want to see.

But for know, expect these petty little games to continue.

For fans of Joshua, they will have their fingers crossed that their man can seal the deal against a worthy opponent in Parker on Saturday evening.