"Brudda the time is now" - Deontay Wilder issues an elaborate and stern callout aimed at Anthony Joshua

Former WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder wants to take on former two-time unified heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua.

The American boxer called out his counterpart from across the ocean in an Instagram post, where he referenced Joshua's promoter Eddie Hearn's comments about him. He also stated that the sport would miss out if the two did not square off:

"I'm letting you know I'm ready to fight. Let's make this the best time of our lives. [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 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."

Deontay Wilder's accompanying caption also urged Joshua to be fearless and to give the fans the entertainment they want in 2024:

"Dear @anthonyjoshua, Brudda the time is now! you must overcome your fears. Fear will allow many to miss out on displaying their true greatness. Look, Mate Do what you got to do but help me keep my word to my fans that 2024 is going to be electrifying. It’s about time to get this party back started don’t you agree? Wishing you many blessings and peace."

Check out Deontay Wilder's post on Instagram below:

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Anthony Joshua hints at potential Deontay Wilder matchup on Tyson Fury vs. Oleksandr Usyk card

Anthony Joshua was in attendance at the United States Grand Prix and spoke to pitside interviewers and media about a potential fight against Deontay Wilder.

Joshua mentioned that the promoters were interested in booking him against Wilder on the same card as Tyson Fury vs. Oleksandr Usyk, expected to take place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

The date for the fight is not yet announced with Fury's non-title bout against Francis Ngannou up first.

Joshua said:

"They want to put Usyk-Fury, Joshua-Wilder on the same night. That might not happen until April. When Fury gets through Ngannou, it is going to be late October, early November, so I doubt he will now prepare for Usyk and fight in December, it's too short. So the next window will probably be in March-April. Then obviously what we are being told is they want to make it a mega card and they like the sound of Joshua v Wilder on the same card as well." [h/t BBC Sport]