Anthony Joshua branded ‘shameless’ as boxing star suffers big backlash ahead of Daniel Dubois fight

Anthony Joshua has been blasted by boxing fans after saying he was open to fighting Deontay Wilder in 2025.

AJ is currently preparing for his bout with Daniel Dubois, with the two Britons set to lock horns on September 21.

Joshua is a man on the rise once again, having won all four of his fights since losing to Oleksandr Usyk for a second time in 2022.

As for Wilder, the American seems to be declining – having last four of his last showdowns.

That includes two defeats to Tyson Fury, while he has also been beaten by Joseph Parker and Zhilei Zhang.

Joshua, speaking to DAZN, has revealed he’s open to a blockbuster showdown with Wilder.

“The fight could still happen,” said the 34-year-old. “For me, why not?

“I’ve always said it’s not a big deal for me, it is what it is.

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“I get paid to fight. I used to fight for free, a lot. Now I get paid to fight so it’s no problem.

“Strip away the bright lights and the trash talk, it’s only a fight.

“So yeah I’d fight Wilder.”

Yet many fans have now turned on Joshua, criticising the Briton for wanting to fight Wilder at a time when his fellow boxing star appears to be past his best.

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“Oh so now you want to fight Wilder? Shameless ffs,” said one user.

A second said: “Yeah now he would after Wilder looks less than average.”

A third fumed: “Ran away many years ago but now he can’t take a shot calls him out. Not a good look.”

A fourth stated: “Only wants the fight now Wilder is spent. Typical AJ.”

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And a fifth hit out at Joshua by saying: “He’s so whack for this.”

Joshua and Wilder were rumoured to fight a few years ago, only for the showdown to never materialise.

At present, AJ’s full focus is on beating Dubois later in the month as he looks to continue his impressive resurgence.

There have long been rumours that Joshua was once dropped by his countryman in 2016 – but that’s something the veteran has firmly denied.

“I don’t know where this whole narrative of someone turned my lights off came from,” he said.

“There were a lot of people in the gym that day as well and people have come out and said, ‘Nah, nothing happened.'”