Eontay Wilder believes Anthony Joshua may return to the top of the heavyweight division, but only if he tackles what the American considers a fitness problem.
Joshua has suffered consecutive defeats for the first time in his professional career after coming up short again against Oleksandr Usyk in the summer, even though he produced a better performance in the rematch in Saudi Arabia.
It has left the 32-year-old in the pack among the division’s elite, although there is still the potential of an immediate return through a fight against Tyson Fury in December as talks continue over a massive all-British clash.
Joshua is expected to fight before the end of the year regardless of whether an agreement can be reached with Fury as he looks to get his career back on track with a first win in nearly two years, with promoter Eddie Hearn saying he wants that the heavyweight becomes much more active now that he is free from all mandatory obligations.
The second defeat to Usyk in August was Joshua’s first under new coach Robert Garcia, and Wilder believes the priority going forward should be on improving his ability to maintain the pace for the full 12 rounds.
“I just think Joshua was very careful in what he did in terms of punch exchange.” [with Usyk]Wilder told SkySports.
“I’ve always said it forever, the way I see it, he has a big stamina problem.
“I think if he can correct that, I think you will see another Joshua. You will not see one that is so hesitant to throw punches and do things, especially when he had Usyk, almost got him out would receive.
“I think he was a little bit worried that he would run out of gas too soon and too soon and he held back a little bit.”
He added: “It’s not over for him unless he says it is.”
Wilder will return to the ring in October against Robert Helenius, almost exactly 12 months after his defeat in a trilogy fight against Tyson Fury.
The American has expressed interest in a possible fourth fight between the pair in the futurewhile Oleksandr Usyk, holder of the WBO, WBA and IBF belts, has said he would be happy to fight Wilder should he get past Helenius early next year.
“I heard about the Usyk situation and he will be [at the Helenius fight]Wilders said.
“I consider Usyk a man of his word. If Usyk says he wants to give me a shot at the titles, I’ll keep his word.”