Anthony Joshua reacts to Deontay Wilder finally admitting he turned down lucrative deal to face him to fight Tyson Fury for less money

The Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder negotiations seemed eternal at one point, but they never did manage to come to an agreement on making the undisputed heavyweight title clash happen.

That boat has passed them by for now. Wilder has since lost his WBC title to Tyson Fury and the Gypsy King, frustrated by a lack of movement from Wilder's camp, has moved on and seems primed to face Agit Kabayel in December.

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Well, it seems like Wilder is getting a taste of his own medicine when it comes to passing up opponents.

During a rant directed at Fury last week where Wilder thought the Gypsy King would take on Carlos Takam, he said: "You know I was offered more money to fight Joshua than I was getting to fight you.

"Again being a man of my word, I fought you."

Joshua's promoter Eddie Hearn sarcastically reacted: "I thought AJ ducked you?"

That was the narrative at the time. Wilder was claiming that Matchroom didn't make him a reasonable offer and AJ was ducking facing him. It turns out, they offered him the best purse of his career.

Now Joshua has reacted to Wilder's words, telling : "It makes the ultimate sense.

"It's hard because at the time when people are talking and you see lots of media stuff, you start to believe what that person is saying.

"When time goes by, naturally the truth will always reveal itself. I get a lot of stick but I take it with a pinch of salt.

"He admitted it. We made him a lucrative offer but he wanted to face Fury.

"So be it. If that's what he wanted to do, fine. But he dragged my name through the mud.

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"While Wilder was trying to make me look like a bad person, that I didn't want to enhance the sport, or fight certain fighters, I just had to roll with the punches.

"He has come out and said it himself. We offered him a really good deal but he wanted to fight Fury.

"People can take it how they want, and see what the truth is now," Joshua concluded.

Dillian Whyte has suggested that Wilder may never fight again in light of his recent meltdowns where he has accused Fury of cheating during their fight back in February.

There is still big fights there for Wilder if he wants them, but his reputation has taken a huge hit in recent weeks. That much is for certain.