Deontay Wilder: I’m the most dangerous heavyweight

With Deontay Wilder set to face Luis Ortiz on Saturday, the WBC heavyweight titleholder is just days away from what many see as his biggest challenge to date. But he took the time to call out Anthony Joshua saying that Tyson Fury is his biggest threat.

From Sky Sports:

“Everyone knows that Tyson Fury isn’t the biggest threat in the heavyweight division. Everyone knows who is the man in the heavyweight division, hands down. Everybody knows who has the power to beat anyone at any given time, in the first round or 15 seconds into the 12th round.

“I have that ability to do anything I want. I am the most dangerous man in the division, hands down. There hasn’t been anyone I have fought that I haven’t knocked out.”

Wilder (39-0, 38 KO) is correct that he’s stopped everyone — the only man to go the distance with him was Bermane Stiverne, and Wilder knocked Stiverne out in the first round of their rematch last November.

Mostly, it’s just more media posturing, though. Wilder and Joshua (20-0, 20 KO) are no closer to an actual fight than ever, other than at some point, if they keep winning, the fight is going to be truly demanded by the public. Joshua is set to return on March 31 against WBO titleholder Joseph Parker, unifying the three belts that Wilder does not hold.

If both win those fights, there will be some demands. But there will also be mandatory challengers and other considerations to take into account. In short, Joshua-Wilder — or Wilder-Joshua, as the American would no doubt prefer — probably won’t be happening next.

Still, it doesn’t hurt to keep talking it up. Hopefully, if they don’t lose fights, it’s an inevitability.