Anthony Joshua hit out at the “shenanigans” in the heavyweight division as he builds towards his rematch with Dillian Whyte.
The former world heavyweight champion is widely expected to meet Deontay Wilder in Saudi Arabia this winter after years of talks.
A grudge match against Whyte in London on August 12 comes two weeks before Oleksandr Usyk defends his unified titles against Daniel Dubois in Poland as boxing’s biggest division shows signs of life.
For much of the past year, the division has failed to produce the kind of fights fans are desperate to see.
Tyson Fury last fought in December and potential meetings with Usyk and Joshua have broken down.
The Fury camp insist he is not to blame for that, citing Usyk’s deal with Saudi-based Skills Challenge, but that is scant consolation for fans who have grown tired of inactivity in the sport’s most iconic division.
For Joshua to rematch Whyte so close to a lucrative meeting with Wilder is certainly a risk.
The 33-year-old was far from his best during April’s unanimous decision win over Jermaine Franklin, who Whyte also beat in December.
Both Joshua and Whyte share a dramatic history with the former beating the latter by way of knockout in 2015, avenging his loss in the amateurs six years earlier.
‘The Body Snatcher’ is a dangerous opponent and promoter Eddie Hearn says the major money offer from Saudi would cease to exist on the terms agreed should Joshua lose.
Still, Joshua stressed he simply wants to cut out the backgroud noise and focus on fighting, having teamed up with trainer Derrick James earlier this year.
“Forget Wilder and them lot,” he said during Monday’s press conference.
“Them lot have been doing my head in for so many years. You lot have seen now the shenanigans in the heavyweight division.
“Even with Fury saying he was training with Usyk, [trainer] Sugar Hill came out and said: ‘No I’m not training him, what do you mean I’m training him for a heavyweight championship fight?’
“You can see all the lies that’s been going on, so I don’t’ really waste my time with timewasters.
“It’s only a fight. I just want to fight and get on with it.”
