Joshua: Deontay Wilder hopes Charles Martin beats Anthony Joshua at O2
Monday 4 April 2016 12:16, UK
Deontay Wilder sees Anthony Joshua taking on Charles Martin as a real "50-50" fight but wants to see his fellow American hold on to his world title.
The WBC world heavyweight champion is refusing to predict a winner of the IBF title fight at The O2, on April 9, live on Sky Sports Box Office.
Wilder though had no qualms supporting his fellow American title holder Martin, and has warned Joshua he is taking the biggest step of his career so far.
"Of course I am going to go with my fellow countryman," Wilder told Sky Sports.
"I feel Anthony Joshua hasn't fought a top fighter like this yet.
"He [Martin] is going to be awkward. He's a southpaw and that is a big thing because I don't think Joshua has faced a southpaw yet, so he is going to find he is very, very awkward - both ways.
"This guy has as much height and reach as I do but he is awkward on top of that. I think it's going to be a good fight and I am looking forward to seeing what happens and I want to see the result."
Anthony Joshua: The Knockouts
Wilder, who is defending his WBC belt against Alexander Povetkin in Moscow on May 21, admits he hasn't seen much of Martin.
He was getting ready to defend his own title against Artur Szpilka while 'Prince' claimed the vacant IBF strap by stopping an injured Vyacheslav Glazkov in three rounds on January 16.
But he knows all about Joshua and warned the British fight fans that, as good and highly rated as the Olympic gold medallist is, he is not unbeatable.
"I make it a 50-50 - this is too close a fight to call," he said.
"If Joshua wins he's definitely the man in England, so that is a big prize for him to go with it.
"And if he loses, I think a lot of people are going to be heartbroken and sad about it. This is part of boxing and that's how it goes, so we'll see how it goes."
Whoever wins on April 9, Wilder will still be the oldest of the main heavyweight world champions at the age of just 30.
Tyson Fury, who holds the WBA Super and WBO titles, is 27, while Martin is 29 and Joshua just 26, leaving the 'Bronze Bomber' happy to lead the way.
"Now we've got these young fighters fighting to bring excitement and follow behind me," he said. "Then I come back in front in May and start back doing what I've been doing.
"We've got a lot of young fighters out there so how exciting can it get? It can't get no better than that, so I am just looking forward to it."
Charles Martin vs Anthony Joshua, live on Sky Sports Box Office on April 9. Order the event online.
