Malik Scott, the head trainer for Deontay Wilder, believes the hard punching heavyweight would take out fellow former world champion Anthony Joshua within three rounds of action.
Wilder has been out of the ring since demolishing Robert Helenius in a single round last fall.
Earlier this month, Joshua snapped a two-fight losing streak by winning a twelve round unanimous decision over Jermaine Franklin.
Scott would like to see Wilder face Joshua or unified champion Oleksandr Usyk.
The retired heavyweight’s preference is Joshua.
Scott explains that Usyk would also get knocked out by Wilder but has enough skill to last more rounds than Joshua.
“Anthony Joshua is not as defensive-minded as Oleksandr Usyk, he doesn’t have the same feet, nor the same reflexes. He’s not as tricky, or as small or light. Usyk can last longer, that’s why I gave him under six rounds,” Scott told IFL TV.
“I just see three rounds with ‘AJ’ and Deontay. I don’t even see ‘AJ’ having good moments with Deontay, I see Usyk having good moments, because he’s tricky.”
In a very unexpected move, Joshua took to social media and announced that he wouldn’t fight until the month of December. He was initially expected to have at least three fights in 2023 – with his next fight taking place in the summer. For unknown reasons, that plan has changed.
“My next fight is scheduled for December. Not ideal but everything is part of a bigger picture,” Joshua stated.
In a recent interview, Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, revealed that his boxer would likely stage his next fight in the Middle East – with Wilder and WBC world champion Tyson Fury as their preferred opponents for the date.