Deontay Wilder believes Anthony Joshua, and his handlers, are equally to blame in the long delay to finalize a showdown between the two heavyweight stars.
When the two big punchers were in possession of all the belts in their weight class, the two sides were unable to reach an agreement.
This Saturday night in Saudi Arabia, Joshua and Wilder will see action in separate fights to hopefully set down a 2024 collision.
Joshua will face tough contender Otto Wallin in the main event, with Wilder competing in the co-main against Joseph Parker in a battle of former world champions.
In the past, the discussions between Wilder and Joshua reportedly fell apart due to money.
According to Wilder, money wasn’t the problem.
“Money hasn’t been the issue. It comes with not having the heart, the will, the courage to step in the ring,” Wilder told BBC Sport.
“I don’t really just blame it on Joshua. I blame it on his handlers, on his promotion and his management. Because let’s face it Joshua is the cash cow of the company.
“Without him, no money is drawn into Matchroom. We all know that. Not only do I feel Joshua is intimidated of me, but I feel his promoter is as well. That’s why the fight hasn’t happened.”
Wilder admits there is some pressure in the upcoming bout, because most observers are overlooking Parker and primary talking about a Joshua clash for next year.
“I’m taking the biggest risk because they’re looking past Parker – but I’m not,” Wilder told Carl Frampton. “Joshua is the biggest fight in combat sport, period. When people talk to me, the main thing they talk about is me and him, all the time. It applies pressure because the world wants to see [it].”