Anthony Joshua vs Deontay Wilder: Tony Bellew gives honest verdict

Anthony Joshua vs Deontay Wilder has all the makings of a heavyweight classic, according to Tony Bellew.

Late last month, AJ’s promoter Eddie Hearn claimed he had offered Wilder a huge deal to fight Joshua ahead of his rematch with Oleksandr Usyk.

But Wilder’s manager, Shelly Finkel, revealed that he turned down that offer in order to concentrate on his upcoming fight against Robert Helenius.

Nevertheless, that hasn't stopped fans from wondering how a potential fight might play out.

READ MORE: Deontay Wilder vs Anthony Joshua is 'the biggest fight in the world'

And Bellew insists that any bout between the two men would be one well worth watching.

Writing in his column for DAZN, he said: "Saturday night sees Deontay Wilder return to the ring for the first time in over a year and the eyes of the world are going to be on him as we get to see whether he’s still a major player in the heavyweight division.

"Last October, Wilder gave Tyson Fury plenty to think about in their brilliant trilogy fight and even though he came up short again, he provided a clear reminder of just how dangerous he can be. 

"Facing Robert Helenius this weekend in New York, it’s absolutely vital that Wilder makes an emphatic statement if he’s to get the attention of those above him in the rankings. The heavyweight landscape hasn’t changed much in his absence, but for the first time in a long time, Wilder has to be the hunter rather than the hunted as he looks to become a two-time world champion. 

"Fury has recently mentioned the possibility of a fourth fight with Wilder and Oleksandr Usyk’s team have also claimed that they’d be interested in facing the powerful American. There’s also talk of Wilder taking on Andy Ruiz next year, but the fight I want