Wilder calls Joshua ‘coward’

WBC world heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder has poured scorn on Anthony Joshua and promoter Eddie Hearn, branding both men “cowards”.

It emerged on Tuesday that Joshua - who holds the WBA, IBF and WBO belts - had been ordered by the WBA to agree a deal to face Russia's Alexander Povetkin.

The move means any bout between Joshua and Wilder looks set to be delayed.

Any bout between Joshua, 28, and Wilder, 32, would see the winner become the first man in history to hold all four heavyweight world titles.

Wilder took his apparent anger to Twitter: "You're not a true champion‼️ You're just a weak minded coward that's holding hard metal. #Facts.

"All they had to do is say they were scared to fight. Period. But instead they made themselves look like what they are, not stand up guys.

"I'm so happy it's over now I've done my part the world seen that so stay in England."