Friday 11 August 2017 13:49, UK
Deontay Wilder has warned promoter Eddie Hearn about his "dangerous" power after the WBC heavyweight champion was offered a fight against Dillian Whyte.
The American urged Hearn to arrange a unification clash with Anthony Joshua on social media after Wladimir Klitschko decided to retire instead of taking a rematch with the WBA 'super' and IBF champion.
Hearn confirmed that Joshua must firstly face the IBF's mandatory challenger Kubrat Pulev and put forward an alternative opponent in Whyte, who fights on August 20, live on Sky Sports, but Wilder says the Matchroom boss is simply trying to gauge the threat he poses to fellow heavyweights.
"Hearn is running all the fighters over there and he feels that he wants to put me against some of his other guys before Joshua," Wilder told Premier Boxing Champions.
"I think he's trying to get a valuation of me to really figure me out a little bit more, because I am a dangerous fighter.
I'm a dangerous fighter to anybody that steps in the ring, because I have two things you can't teach, and that's explosive power and awkwardness.
"I'm a dangerous fighter to anybody that steps in the ring, because I have two things you can't teach, and that's explosive power and awkwardness."
Wilder believes he has overcome his hand injury and hopes to make his next title defence against Cuban Luis Ortiz, who carries a reputation as one of the most avoided men in the top division.
Ortiz has already lined up a fight against Joshua as the WBA's mandatory challenger, but Wilder wants to offer him the next shot at his WBC belt.
"My coming back, I would love to have the Ortiz fight," said the 'Bronze Bomber.' "I would love to have that and get that going.
"Ortiz is considered the 'Boogeyman' of the sport, whatever that means? I'm the one that's calling him out. I'm the one that wants to see him in that ring, and I do mean soon.
"If you're the 'Boogeyman' of the sport, if people are scared to fight you, let me tell you who ain't."
