Anthony Joshua accused of being a coward as mega boxing fight hangs in the balance
Anthony Joshua has been accused of being a coward by boxing rival Deontay Wilder
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Deontay Wilder has claimed Anthony Joshua lacks the courage to face him as their blockbuster fight hangs in the balance.
The duo have previously been tipped to face off in 2018 and 2019, only for those fights to fall through.
Negotiations have started up again in recent months but, still, it's unclear if Joshua and Wilder will finally go to war.
Both men have lost their titles in recent years and are seen as athletes on the wane, rather than in their prime.
Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder boxing match has been on the cards for a number of years
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Saudi Arabian chiefs had hoped to host a fight between Joshua and Wilder on December 23.
However, with Tyson Fury's bout with Oleksandr Usyk set to be pushed back, that's led to a change of plan.
And, as the fight hangs in the balance, Joshua has now been accused of cowardice by Wilder - who insists the Watford-born boxer is scared of him.
Speaking to Blue Blood Sports TV, Wilder said: "I just don't know what's up with Joshua bro.
"Maybe I'm gonna have to go to England and sit down with him on some real man s**t.
"I don't want him to feel like I have anything against him.
"I know he's afraid of me and I still say that to this day because he hasn't proven differently.
"I know what fear is."
Wilder added: "I just feel like if Joshua really wanted to fight me, he would do it.
"It's up to the fighter at the end of the day.
"No matter what manager, promoter, whatever - when a fighter wants to fight another fighter, it's gonna happen...
"Joshua - me and you is the biggest fight in the world bro, what are you doing? How many people are you listening to?
"I really wanna talk to that dude."
Speaking in October, Wilder said it would be a 'major disaster' if he never gets to go up against Joshua.
"I'm letting you know I'm ready to fight. Let's make this the best time of our lives," he said at the time.
"[It is] a fight everyone is looking forward to and hopefully it happens and I'm doing everything in my power to make it happen.
"Anthony, you're getting it from the horse's mouth himself: I'm here, I'm ready to go.
"I heard some things your promoter [Hearn] said that my last fight only lasted a short period of time and I haven't fought in a year and he doesn't know if I want to fight or not.
"This would be a major disaster if we were never able to get in the ring and put our stamp down in history."
Joshua's reputation has, however, taken a blow in recent years.
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Anthony Joshua won his last boxing match against Robert Helenius back in August
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He was rocked in 2019 when Andy Ruiz beat him in the seventh round of their fight that year.
And Joshua has since proceeded to lose twice to Usyk, who now has Fury in his fights.
The Ukrainian's boxing clash with the Gypsy King is due to take place in February, with an official announcement expected soon.
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