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Thursday 19 July 2018

Anthony Joshua can’t escape talk of Deontay Wilder

By TERRIN WAACK, AP of $15 million and offered
Sports Writer Joshua a guaranteed $50
NEW YORK (AP) — Antho- million, plus 50 percent of
ny Joshua was welcomed the revenue if the fight took
by applause on the stage. place in the U.S. Joshua
He stood front and center, wanted England. Wilder
promoting his Sept. 22 bout agreed.
against Alexander Povet- “We’ve done everything,”
kin. Even there, he couldn’t Wilder said. “I can’t express
escape talk of the heavy- how much I mean by that
weight he isn’t fighting. when I say we’ve done ev-
Someone in the crowd erything day and night, day
jumped at the opportunity and night, day and night.
and shouted, “AJ, we want And the only thing they’ve
Wilder!” done is try to come up with
“Let them train to be a plans of distracting the fans
fighter and fight (Deontay) and trying to come up with
Wilder,” Joshua told AP. plans of lies.”
“It’s easy talking about it. More negotiations took
It’s another thing doing.” place. Each side says
But with his hands on his hips, something different trans-
Joshua looked in the direc- pired— Wilder said Joshua
tion of the outburst and sent blank contracts miss-
stoically mouthed, “Same.” In this March 31, 2018, file photo, Britain’s Anthony Joshua, rear, tries to hit New Zealand’s Joseph ing a date or place; Joshua
Meanwhile, Povetkin was Parker during their heavyweight title bout in Cardiff, Wales. said Wilder didn’t meet the
standing off to the side. Associated Press deadline. There was also a
Povetkin and Joshua were happening. “Most definite- “This career isn’t deter- nox Lewis in 2000. disputed rematch clause.
both in the West Village on ly he could have gotten an mined by what people “It’s not about the big light,” Regardless, months passed
Tuesday for the launch par- exemption for this fight,” want,” Joshua said. “It’s my Joshua said. “It’s not about without any signed con-
ty of DAZN, a global sports Wilder said. “That was the career. I’ve always pulled taking from the industry. I tract, leading the WBA to
streaming service. Its first least of the worries right for and done what was don’t want to drive a Rolls- step in.
event is their fight. Povetkin there because everyone right for myself, which has Royce tomorrow. I don’t Wilder thinks Joshua would
is partially the reason why wants it. When everyone ultimately led me to be- want a one-hit fight won- rather fight Povetkin any-
Joshua (21-0, 20 knockouts) wants it, then there’s noth- coming a champion.” der, then I’m a champion way because he’s not
isn’t fighting Wilder (40-0, 39 ing that could stand in the Right now, Joshua holds one week and few months ready to compete against
KOs) this year. way of a fight of this magni- three of the four major later I’ve lost it because I’m the best.
In June, the World Boxing tude. No possible way. belts: WBA, IBF and WBO. living the life. I want to add “Wilder has a big power
Association ordered Josh- “Even when he’s announc- Wilder has the other: WBC. to the industry, give back. I punch, but he likes to fight.
ua to fight Povetkin (34-1, ing Povetkin, they’re talking If the two were to fight, do it because I’m passion- He likes to get into the
24 KOs) or have his title about me. Everywhere we which they still both believe ate about it.” brawl a little bit,” Povetkin
stripped away. go, they’re talking about they will, the winner would His passion is just different said through a translator.
He signed, ending his this fight.” be named the undisput- from Wilder, who said he “Joshua is more techni-
chances of a Wilder-Josh- But Joshua doesn’t care ed heavyweight boxing tried everything possible to cal, but he also has a lot of
ua fight in 2018. Wilder said what everyone wants. He champion. make this unification fight power. It would be a differ-
if Joshua wanted the fight said he’s following proto- The most recent boxer to happen. ent approach, but they’re
to happen, it would be col. claim that honor was Len- Wilder accepted a flat fee both great fighters.” q

Warriors coach Steve Kerr receives contract extension

By JANIE McCAULEY were not announced Tues- perhaps 15 years. His War-
AP Sports Writer day. riors swept LeBron James
OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — “We’re excited to have and Cleveland in the fourth
Golden State Warriors Steve under contract and straight NBA Finals match-
coach Steve Kerr has re- poised to lead our team ups between the rivals.
ceived a contract exten- for the next several years,” The Warriors marked them-
sion following the fran- Myers said in a statement selves as a dynasty with
chise’s repeat champion- released by the team. “Un- their latest crown. They
ship and third title in four der his guidance, we’ve joined Bill Russell’s Boston
years during his tenure. been fortunate enough Celtics, the Chicago Bulls
Kerr and general manager to win three NBA titles in led by Michael Jordan and
Bob Myers, who are close four years and his ability to the Lakers’ trio of title runs
friends and colleagues, thrive in all facets of his job fueled by George Mikan in
said when the season end- is certainly a primary rea- the 1950s, Magic Johnson
ed that something would son for our success. He’s a and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
get done quickly once terrific coach, but more im- in the ‘80s, and Shaquille
they began formal discus- portantly an incredible hu- O’Neal and Kobe Bryant
sions. Kerr had one year re- man being.” nearly 20 years ago as the In this Sunday, June 3, 2018 file photo,Golden State Warriors
maining on his original $25 The 52-year-old Kerr has only franchises in NBA histo- head coach Steve Kerr gestures during the first half of Game 2 of
million, five-year contract. said he hopes to coach at ry to capture three cham- basketball’s NBA Finals between the Warriors and the Cleveland
Details of the extension least another decade and pionships in four years.q Cavaliers in Oakland, Calif.
Associated Press