Wilder ‘massively favoured’ over Joshua as vulnerabilities exposed

Former WBO super featherweight champion Barry Jones ‘massively favours’ Deontay Wilder to beat Anthony Joshua if they ever face each other. The boxer-turned-pundit used to pick Joshua but now thinks ‘there is something lacking, that wasn’t lacking before’.

Joshua is set to return to the ring in early 2023 after back-to-back losses to Oleksandr Usyk. According to promoter Eddie Hearn, the winner of Dillian Whyte vs Jermaine Franklin on November 26 is the ‘frontrunner’ for Joshua’s next fight.

The Matchroom Boxing chief also hinted at the possibility of the long-awaited showdown with Wilder taking place at the back end of the year providing all goes well in ‘AJ’s’ next couple of fights. Wilder and manager Shelly Finkel have expressed their willingness to take the fight and early discussions between both parties via email has begun.

Over the years, the fight has failed to make it off the negotiation table but with Wilder recently admitting that he will retire at 40, conservative efforts are being made to make the clash happen. With that in mind, Jones broke down the fight during a recent interview with Intu Boxing and explained why he is now backing Wilder to take home the victory.

“If Joshua lands first, he can knock you out, but I think Wilder might be able to take it or get up. If Wilder hits you right, as you’re coming forward, you’re done. I still think there is something lacking with Joshua, that wasn’t lacking before [his defeats], whether that’s mental, confidence or if he’s unsure of himself. You can see, he second-guesses himself.

“Whether there’s too many voices, I don’t know what it is, I’m not blaming anybody, but he is not the same. He is still a good fighter, but he is openly vulnerable and for his style and the way he is, that’s not a good thing.”

Wilder is expected to face Andy Ruiz Jr in a WBC final eliminator for a shot at Tyson Fury’s green strap. Sanctioning body president Mauricio Sulaimán has confirmed that the contest will be ordered at the WBC convention this week.