Anthony Joshua vs Joseph Parker: Deontay Wilder reveals why he will not be attending Cardiff fight

Wilder was due to travel to Cardiff to commentate on the contest for Sky Sports, but has decided against attending the fight

Friday 30 March 2018 13:34 BST
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Anthony Joshua and Joseph Parker square up before heavyweight title fight

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WBC heavyweight Deontay Wilder has explained why he will not be attending Anthony Joshua’s unification showdown with Joseph Parker this weekend.

Wilder was due to travel to Cardiff to commentate on the contest for Sky Sports, with Eddie Hearn recently revealing that there had been talks of the American entering the ring after the fight to confront the winner.

But those plans have now been scrapped.

“I'm not making the trip now. I was looking forward to it,” Wilder said during an interview with Good Morning Football.

“Sky Sports hired me to come over and I said I'd come on one condition: If AJ wins then I would get in front of the ring, size him up and tell him I wanted to knock him out.

“Sky Sports told me they could make it happen. They said it wouldn't be problem then a couple of days later I get a phone call from my manager saying it's not going to be possible. And I said I couldn't come if it wasn't possible.”

Wilder explained: “They said AJ didn't want it to happen and had hired extra security, I even heard something about a restraining order!

“Joshua didn't want to hype the fight. But this is one of the biggest heavyweight title fights in history.”

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