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‘Wilder’s decision not to fight Joshua embarrassing’

Anthony Joshua’s hopes for an undisputed world heavyweight title fight were dashed when Wilder revealed on Wednesday morning that he would next defend his WBC belt against Luis Ortiz – who he first beat last year.

Joshua had previously called for “face to face” talks with Wilder, but must first get through his own defence against Andy Ruiz Jr on Saturday night.

“It’s embarrassing,” said Joshua’s promoter Hearn. “Joshua said: ‘the only fight is Wilder, we should meet next week and get it done’.

“Then Wilder says: ‘actually, I will fight Ortiz’. Why fight him instead of Joshua? That is really frustrating.

“The main man is Joshua but the fight that the world wants to see is Wilder. Unfortunately he is not giving the public what they want – or even talking about that fight, which is frustrating.”

Joshua’s immediate priority will be to retain his focus as his US debut approaches, with his IBF, WBA, and WBO belts on the line at New York’s Madison Square Garden.

“We have to focus on what we know is happening – Andy Ruiz Jr, making sure that [Joshua] gets the job done and continues to win,” said Hearn.

“Next week, if victorious, we will sit down and plan the future and book in an exciting fight for November or December. Joshua has got to do the business. We want to see destruction.”

The race to become Joshua’s second opponent of 2019 could now hot up. His longstanding rival Dillian Whyte, who first meets Oscar Rivas on July 20, is a contender.

Kubrat Pulev is his IBF mandatory challenger, and Oleksandr Usyk is also a threat.

“It looks like the WBO will make [Usyk] mandatory for Anthony Joshua,” Hearn has previously explained, also saying he expected that fight to come in 2020.

– Sky Sports

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