Deontay Wilder blasts "weak-minded coward" Anthony Joshua with Brit set to face Alexander Povetkin next

Joshua is set to face Alexander Povetkin next. [Photo/Courtesy]

Deontay Wilder has branded Anthony Joshua a “weak-minded coward” because he won’t fight him next.

Joshua has reluctantly accepted he must face his WBA mandatory challenger Alexander Povetkin next after being ordered to fight the Russian by the sanctioning body.

Wilder is furious that the WBA Super, IBF and WBO heavyweight king will not face him after he verbally agreed to his terms for the fight and has launched a foul-mouthed attack on him on twitter.

The unbeaten WBC champ said: “Had the world waiting for three months playing games just for this moment.

“You’re not a true champion!! You’re just a weak-minded coward that’s holding hard metal. #Facts.”

Wilder had also offered Joshua £37million to agree to his terms for the historic unification clash and the American claims he has done everything to make the fight happen.

“All they had to do is say they were scared to fight,” he said. “Period. But instead they made themselves look like what they are, not stand-up guys.

“I’m so happy it’s over now. I’ve done my part. The world has seen that, so stay in England.”

Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn is frustrated that Wilder only seems interested in negotiating on social media and claims the fight contract remains with them unsigned.

Povetkin is the WBA mandatory challenger. [Photo/Courtesy]

“We can’t do a lot more than we’re doing,” said the Matchroom MD. “I think Anthony is frustrated that he feels that people feel he might not want this fight. He wants that fight more than anything.

“We sent the contract nearly nine days ago now. We’re not even necessarily expecting a signed contract back. We just want your comments. If my fighter wanted a fight, and we received a contract, I would be back with the comments within 24 hours.

“Nothing makes sense here at all. They emailed me on Sunday and said we would be back with our comments on Friday. Why do you need another five or six days? They know we’re under pressure from the WBA and it all feels like a big game, to be honest with you.