Deontay Wilder's refusal to retire and Anthony Joshua nonetheless being open to combating the Bronze Bomber regardless of his defeat to Joseph Parker on Saturday has stored hopes of an eventual mega-fight alive. The ex-WBC world heavyweight champion, 38, was defeated by Parker via unanimous decision in a shock result in Saudi Arabia.

Two-time world heavyweight champion AJ, nevertheless, dominated his struggle on the identical card, Day of Reckoning, beating Otto Wallin. Wilder's devastating loss condemned him to only one win in almost three years and it has forged doubt over the potential of future fights with Joshua.

The two had been on observe for a $100 million (£80 million) bout penciled in for March subsequent yr. Wilder's defeat ends the hopes of that deal being accomplished - however it appears each are holding the door open to satisfy sooner or later. 

The Brit could have handed Wilder a lifeline and motivation by claiming he would nonetheless be open to combating the American, who has refused to retire. "I'm not too sure what can happen from here," AJ began in his post-fight press convention. "But I'm sure from a fan perspective, they'll be more annoyed. For me, I always understand how this game is: You never know. This is elite-level boxing.

"Wilder simply got here up brief however he'll reside to struggle one other day. Me and him may nonetheless get it on, we may nonetheless get it cracking. I imagine I'm an enormous risk, I nonetheless assume Wilder's a risk and I nonetheless assume it does superb numbers if we get it on. But I'll go away that right down to my administration, trainers, promoters to make that call - I'm right down to struggle anybody each time, and whoever."

Joshua did, however, say that if he had to pick between a world heavyweight title fight or take on Wilder, he would jump at the chance to reclimb back to the top of the mountain. "So to illustrate, for instance, there was an choice to struggle for the heavyweight championship of the world or struggle an opponent, I might all the time select the heavyweight championship of the world as a result of that's the creme de la creme - essentially the most prestigious title you possibly can win in boxing," AJ continued.

"Now, there isn't a title on the road. So, if there isn't any title on the road, what does that imply? I'm gonna struggle Deontay Wilder."

Wilder cast some doubt on his future in his post-fight interview. However, he clarified he plans to return as he wrote on social media: "Sorry if I let anybody down. This shouldn't be the tip, we'll be again."

Boxing promoter Frank Warren says somebody in Wilder's camp claimed the American was potentially nursing an injury. “I thought he [Wilder] looked pretty dreadful,” Warren instructed talkSPORT. "He did an excellent job, Joe, proper from the beginning.”

He added: “I really don’t know what he does now, Deontay. I was just talking to Shelly Finkel [Wilder’s manager] and they were telling me that he had a problem. He went into one of those Cryochambers and sat in it for a long time. I don’t know. Obviously, there’s going to be some excuse.”