Deontay Wilder reveals back-up plan in case Anthony Joshua grudge match falls through as ring return nears

DEONTAY WILDER has a Plan B in place in case his long-awaited showdown with Anthony Joshua fails to come to fruition.

The long-time rivals finalised a multi-million-pound deal for their long-overdue grudge match last week.

REUTERSDeontay Wilder is finally on the verge of fighting Anthony Joshua[/caption]

REUTERWilder must first get through Joseph Parker before he can face AJ[/caption]

GETTYThe Bronze Bomber plans to face Francis Ngannou if his fight with AJ falls through[/caption]

Provided the duo get through their respective clashes with Joseph Parker and Otto Wallin this weekend, they’ll trade blows in a lucrative Saudi showdown on March 9.

And if for some reason their clash doesn’t come to fruition, Wilder will turn his attention to facing former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou.

He told talkSPORT: “It is going to be one or the other, it could be [both Joshua and Ngannou in 2024], but I think it is going to be one or the other.

“It can happen that way where I see both of them, but I know for sure that I am going to get one of them, I know that for sure.

“So, the future is bright and I’m looking forward to [fighting] whoever I get into the ring with, whether that is both or one, I am grateful for it all.”

Wilder, 38, hasn’t set foot inside the ring since his brutal one-punch KO of Robert Helenius last October.

But he believes his body will have benefitted from his long hiatus, telling TMZ: “I’m expecting to be very fresh.

“I’m expecting to be intact. I got a great team on my side and we’re looking for greatness. Nothing less.”

Wilder is relishing the opportunity to finally get his hands on Parker, who he was on course to fight back in 2017 when they held the WBC and WBO titles respectively.

And just like he did then, The Bronze Bomber believes he’ll emphatically add the Kiwi’s name to his list of victims.

The former WBC heavyweight champion said: “Here we are again.

“A lot of great things are happening, a lot of doors are opening, and a lot of opportunities are looming around, and kick this thing off.

“I’m looking forward to the ‘Day of Reckoning against Joseph Parker awhile back, but he ran.

“I don’t know how he built the courage up now, but I’m glad he’s here because I’m going to punish him.

“I’m looking forward to fighting him. I can’t wait for it to happen. It won’t be long now.”