Anthony Joshua has been warned not to "waste time" during negotiations with Deontay Wilder.

That is according to highly respected boxing journalist Dan Rafael, who insists that time is of the essence.

Will Anthony Joshua ever fight Deontay Wilder?

Joshua and Wilder's respective teams were previously in talks over a potential super-fight a few years ago, though those negotiations failed to bear any fruit at the time.

Despite this, both men recently expressed in finally making it happen after so many failed attempts at doing so.

Joshua is expected to return to the ring in the first half of 2023 but doesn't have an opponent at this moment in time.

The American, meanwhile, has been ordered to face Andy Ruiz Jr by the WBC, with the winner challenging for Tyson Fury's belt.

And according to Rafael, AJ can't afford to dally any longer if he wants to strike a deal with Wilder.

READ MORE: Boxing news: Deontay Wilder 'wants to fight Anthony Joshua next'

Anthony Joshua is currently looking for his next opponent
ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - NOVEMBER 05: Anthony Joshua is interviewed ringside at Etihad Arena on November 05, 2022 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images)

Anthony Joshua is currently looking for his next opponent

What has Dan Rafael said about Anthony Joshua vs Deontay Wilder?

Speaking exclusively to GIVEMESPORT.com, he said: "Make no mistake, both men absolutely want this fight, that much is obvious.

"The main thing though in terms of what Wilder is going to do is they're not unwilling to find a top name if they can't make the fight with Joshua.

"They don't want to waste time trying to make a deal with Joshua only for it to fall apart at the last second.

"That's happened too many times now for one reason or another.

"They would probably accept a fight with Dillian Whyte if it was written in stone in the contract that they are guaranteed to get Joshua next and everything was already worked out like a two-fight deal let's say.

"But that seems a little bit too far in my mind. So hopefully they'll come back against the biggest name, the biggest guy that they can get.

"Just don't hold your breath that it'll be Joshua next, that's all. Like I said before, I'll believe it when I see the two big men in the ring.

READ MORE: Otto Wallin has a 'good' chance of being Anthony Joshua's next opponent

Dan can be found over at Fight Freaks Unite on Substack. Subscribe now to get the latest updates.


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