Deontay Wilder has said that he does not want a rematch with Tyson Fury and is instead eyeing up a potential fight against Anthony Joshua.

Wilder and Fury were expected to take part in a rematch of last December’s fight, which ended in a controversial draw.

However, it’s thought that Fury’s new broadcast deal with ESPN, worth a reported £80 million, has thrown a spanner into the works.

Speaking to Blue Blood TV, Wilder said: “Fury had that contract [for a rematch] right there in their face, it was done. They didn’t want the rematch.

“Without the ESPN thing, he had the opportunity to have this fight go into a 50-50 split. But somebody got scared.”

WBC heavyweight champion Wilder is instead looking for a unification fight with Anthony Joshua, who holds the IBF, WBO and WBA belts.

“I want Joshua of course, I want to unify the belts.

“They know what we want. It’s easy to make that fight.

“Now it’s time for you all to swallow your pride and give the world one of the best heavyweight fights, in world boxing, that can be.”

Despite his comments, it’s unlikely that Wilder will get his fight until at least the end of the year, as Joshua is scheduled to take on Jarrell Miller at Madison square Garden on June 1 - his first fight in America.

Wilder also has mandatory commitments of his own to uphold, as in order to maintain his WBC title, he needs fight against challenger Dominic Breazeale in May.

“Right now, I’m looking to getting my mandatory out the way and then we’ll go from there. That’s what we are looking forward to.

“A lot of things can change, but I’m looking forward, but I would prefer to get my mandatory out the way. A lot of talking and bad blood.”