Deontay Wilder has called out WBA, IBF and WBO champion Anthony Joshua during a media workout ahead of his WBC title defence against Dominic Breazeale on May 18 at Barclays Center in New York.

Wilder (40-0-1, 39KOs) is coming off a draw against Tyson Fury and has said he has no intention of letting Breazeale (20-1, 18KOs) survive the scheduled 12 rounds.

The 33-year-old Alabama native took his morbid threats to a whole new level during Tuesday’s media workout at Gleason’s Gym when he echoed the movie character Ivan Drago’s famous words from “Rocky IV” by saying, “if he dies, he dies.”

The outspoken American was then asked to deliver a message to Joshua in front of the world’s media and began a scathing rant from the centre of the ring.

“Don’t worry p***y, I’m coming.

"Now you ain’t got nowhere to go. Now you want the boogeyman?

“You want the baddest man on the planet, you ain’t got nowhere to go?

“What about staying in England, yeah? What about ‘my people deserve it,’ yeah?

“You were just a big fish in a small pond. Welcome to America, baby.

“You gon’ get what I got for you. You gon’ get what’s coming, trust me. Don’t worry.

“And, when that time comes, don’t deny the offers.”

Matchroom kingpin Eddie Hearn has made it clear that Joshua v Wilder is a huge priority, and wants to set a date for later this year, however, the American’s entourage remain adamant that 2020 will be the earliest the blockbuster clash could take place.

Joshua will make his US debut on June 1 when he travels to New York City and faces Mexican contender Andy Ruiz Jr.

The 29-year-old is three inches shorter than Joshua and will be out-reached by a massive eight inches, but boasts an impressive career record of 32-1, with 21KOs.

While Ruiz may not look in athletic shape, he is in excellent fight condition after forcing Germany’s Alexander Dimitrenko to retire after five rounds in Carson City less than a month ago.

The event at Madison Square Garden also features an impressive undercard, with the likes of Katie Taylor, Callum Smith and Joshua Buatsi all set to feature.