Heavyweight world boxing champion Anthony Joshua has said he will not be drawn on his future plans after regaining his world heavyweight titles from Andy Ruiz on Saturday.
It will be recalled that the British star won back his WBA, IBF and WBO belts with a one-sided unanimous defeat of Ruiz in Diriyah outside Saudi Arabia’s capital.
The victory reinstates Joshua as a major player in boxing’s most glamorous division, and instantly renews speculation about a possible unification super fight with WBC champion Deontay Wilder.
But, according to the Agence France Presse, AFP, Joshua, 30, said while he remained open to a fight with the unbeaten Wilder, he would not “chase” the fight.
“It’s difficult to unite them,” said Joshua, who had seen negotiations with Wilder’s camp fall flat several times before his defeat to Ruiz in June.
“We’ll see what happens. Chasing that fight wasn’t playing to my benefit, so I’m going to let the path take it course.
“When the opportunity presents itself to become unified heavyweight champion I’ll take it.”