DiBella: I think Anthony Joshua is justifiably afraid of Deontay Wilder

Deontay Wilder’s promoter, Lou DiBella, appeared on SiriusXM Boxing Radio Show yesterday to discuss his thoughts on Anthony Joshua’s title unification win over Joseph Parker this past weekend. During the interview DiBella was asked flat out if he thinks Joshua and his team are afraid of taking on Wilder.

Via WBN:

“I think when everyone around you is afraid, it’s gonna make you think too,” said DiBella.

”Do I think he’s afraid? Justifiably. I gotta be honest with you – I saw a lot of stuff in that Parker fight that I think a lot of other people saw, particularly people on the other side of the pond and are hesitant to talk about.”

DiBella continued to say that he viewed Joshua’s performance as indicative of a fighter who’s hesitant to engage and reluctant to take any risks, while also pointing out that Joshua was given a lot of leeway by the referee, being allowed to call his own timeout to pull excess tape off of his gloves after being hit by Parker. DiBella says he lost some respect for Joshua after that move.

Meanwhile Wilder has continued to call for a showdown with Joshua, but by the sound of things coming from the Matchroom side, that’s not likely to be Joshua’s next fight. It may in fact be more likely that Joshua takes on someone like Jarrell Miller, who is perceived as a less dangerous opponent who is under the same promotional umbrella as Joshua.