Anthony Joshua has slammed Deontay Wilder for ‘dragging his name through the mud’ and never accepting a deal to fight.In responding to Wilder’s most recent outburst regarding both AJ and fellow heavyweight Tyson Fury, Joshua is adamant that the ‘Bronze Bomber’ has finally revealed ‘the truth’ about not accepting a deal to fight.The pair’s storied rivalry began in 2016 and what seemed a dead certainty; a ‘clash of champions’ fight, never materialised.Wilder has been extremely vocal as of late aiming shots at everybody, and, frankly, nobody is exempt.The former WBC champion aimed a dig at Fury over the weekend, in a tweet, stating:"You know I was offered more money to fight Joshua than I was getting to fight you. Again, being a man of my word, I fought you."Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn was quick to jump into the discussion with a sarcastic response:
“I thought AJ ducked you?”
Joshua has since told Sky Sports News:
“It makes the ultimate sense. It's hard because at the time when people are talking and you see lots of media stuff, you start to believe what that person is saying.
"When time goes by, naturally the truth will always reveal itself. I get a lot of stick but I take it with a pinch of salt.
He admitted it. We made him a lucrative offer but he wanted to face Fury. So be it. If that's what he wanted to do, fine. But he dragged my name through the mud.
"While Wilder was trying to make me look like a bad person, that I didn't want to enhance the sport, or fight certain fighters, I just had to roll with the punches.
"He has come out and said it himself. We offered him a really good deal but he wanted to fight Fury. People can take it how they want, and see what the truth is now."
Meanwhile, Joshua is set to defend his IBF, WBA and WBO title belts against Kubrat Pulev come December 12 as well as, reportedly, striking a deal with ‘Gypsy King’ Tyson Fury regarding a lucrative 2-fight deal for 2021, meaning a unification bout is on the cards – that is, if he can hold onto the belts until then.
So, there you have it, it would seem, unless Wilder can get serious and accept his defeat to Fury and move on, no fighter wants to touch him, especially after the recent excuses he’s been dishing out.