Amir Khan has claimed that Anthony Joshua is scared of fighting either Deontay Wilder or Tyson Fury in the wake of their brutal heavyweight clash in Los Angeles last weekend.

Thirty one-year-old Khan, a former unified light-welterweight champion who fought in ten world title bouts, told the Express that he thinks AJ doesn't want to take a risk in blemishing his perfect 22-0 record.

“One thing about fighters… The fight would have happened if [Joshua] wasn’t scared of him," said Khan. 

“Maybe he has a little bit of fear in him – that's why the fight never happened.”

AJ and Wilder were in talks over the summer once Joshua had seen off Kiwi Joseph Parker in an attempt to unify the heavyweight division, but the fight broke down as both parties accused the other of misdemeanours during the negotiations.

“It’s hard to say sometimes – maybe [Joshua] was getting paid more money to fight someone easy," Khan added.

“And he thought: ‘Why should I take that risk?’ Because it is a risk, at the end of the day.”

Both Wilder and Fury are both in the running to take on the IBF, WBO and WBA belt-holder in April in the next defence of his heavyweight titles, and whilst the world wants to see a rematch between Fury and Wilder after the controversial draw at the Staples Center last weekend, Khan thinks there should be a pause before the rematch is scheduled.

"I think maybe they’ll both take an easier fight in between,” Khan added.

“Because sometimes what we see is two hard fights on the trot can take a lot out of a fighter.

"Get the confidence back, take an easy fight, little work, go back to the hard fight again.

“As I’ve been told by many trainers, many experienced trainers – they say: ‘Never jump into a hard fight again.’”

Wilder is in pole position to take on Joshua on April 13, with Eddie Hearn labelling the Bronze Bomber as top of the list of candidates for AJ's 23rd professional fight, whilst Wilder's co-manager Shelly Finkel said his fighter is very interested in a fight with AJ.

The London-born fighter hit back on Twitter after the remarks, tweeting: "What took this fool so long? Like we ain’t been interested?!!

"Anyway well done Fury! they wanted to get you because they assumed you was finished!!

"I’ll give you a fair one when your ready! Either one of you!"