Wilder ‘ready’ for Joshua after beating Luis Ortiz

London : American Deontay Wilder says he is ready for a heavyweight unification bout with Britain’s Anthony Joshua after beating Luis Ortiz to retain his WBC title.

Wilder, 32, floored the previously unbeaten Cuban twice before knocking him out in the 10th round in New York.

IBF and WBA champion Briton Joshua, 28, will fight New Zealand’s WBO champion Joseph Parker in Cardiff on 31 March.

“I want to unify. I am ready whenever those guys are,” said Wilder.

He survived a scare in the seventh round to claim the 40th win of his unbeaten career following a right uppercut at the Barclays Centre.

“I figured out a way to come back. A true champion always finds a way. That’s what I did tonight,” said Wilder, who has successfully defended his title seven times.

Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, said that if he beats Parker a unification fight with Wilder is likely to happen this year.

“It’s the biggest fight in world boxing,” Hearn told Sportsweek on BBC Radio 5 live.

“He has the biggest test of his career against Parker but if he wins it Anthony wants to fight Wilder.

“He thinks he can beat him and Wilder is beatable, but Wilder is also very dangerous. 

“Both Wilder and Joshua are electric to watch, both punch very hard and both have shown signs of vulnerability.”