In a rather sensational claim, Deontay Wilder’s trainer believes, contrary to what's been circulated publically, that Anthony Joshua is actually trying to avoid the American.

Despite the supposed agreement between the two heavyweight champions, Mark Breland claims that Joshua and his camp don’t actually want the fight and would prefer to take on anyone but the unbeaten WBC belt holder.

Although Joshua holds three of the heavyweight belts, Breland points out, that Wilder holds the WBC belt, long regarded as the crown jewel of boxing titles.

“He’s got the top belt,” Breland said of Wilder, as per Boxing Insider, and knows that, without it, Joshua will never be seen as a completely dominant champ. In the meantime, Breland feels AJ will not be facing the calibre of competition he really should be.

“Ortiz,” he points out as an example. “That’s one fight they will not take.”

Whether his claims are true or not, Wilder is certainly keen to make himself out as the one who is willing to compromise in order to make the fight happen.

He recently tweeted: “The $50M offer for him to fight me next in the US is still available. Today I even agreed to their offer to fight Joshua next in the UK. If he prefers the fight in the UK, the ball is in their court. It’s up to them to choose.”

Nevertheless, Breland doesn't think Joshua can hide forever and ultimately the two will have to face off in the ring.

“Eventually, they’re going to have to fight,” he added, but doesn’t believe 'it’s going to happen any time soon'.

Millions of fight fans around the world may not be able to wait that long!

It looks increasingly likely that failure to come to an agreement this year will see Joshua return to the ring to face Alexander Povetkin in a mandatory defence instead.