Wilder warns Joshua: I'm the best and the baddest

New York, November 3: WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder has warned Anthony Joshua he is the "best" and the "baddest" ahead of his fight with Bermane Stiverne in Brooklyn on Saturday (November 4).

The 32-year-old claimed the WBC title from Stiverne via a unanimous points decision in January 2015 in what was the only one of his 38 professional bouts not to end in a knockout.

He has long been touted as an opponent for IBF and WBA champion Joshua, who said "boxing needs me against Wilder" after defeating Carlos Takam last weekend.

Wilder plans to mount a successful sixth successive defence against Stiverne and confidently claimed he will unify the heavyweight division.

"It's been a long road for me. I've had my ups and my downs. The ups I've celebrated, but the downs have hurt the most. It's all led me to here," Wilder said at the pre-fight press conference.

"All I ever wanted to do is prove to the world that I am the best. I am the baddest. I hit the hardest. I am the most feared. My record speaks for itself.

"This will be an electrifying fight. That belt isn't going anywhere. I will unify the division.

"I will be the undefeated, undisputed heavyweight champion of the world."

Stiverne will be returning to the ring after almost two years – a victory over Derric Rossy his only outing since lost the WBC title to Wilder.

"Deontay Wilder has been trying to duck me. He's been giving a lot of excuses about my career. He should be happy if I've been inactive," Stiverne said.

"He should be jumping in the air. Everyone knows that means he's scared. He knows what time it is.

"He already gave me his best. I had nothing last fight. But now I'm a very dangerous man. Everyone here knows what time it is."

Source: OPTA