Carl Froch has advised Anthony Joshua against facing Deontay Wilder if he beats Jermaine Franklin on April 1.
A long-awaited showdown between Joshua and Wilder has failed to materialise dating back to 2018 when both men were world champions.
Wilder called out Joshua prior to his first round knockout over Robert Helenius in October, although ‘The Bronze Bomber’, who confirmed he is an open agent, dismissed suggestions he will sign with AJ’s promoter, Eddie Hearn when asked about the possibility by Pro Boxing Fans last month.
Former super middleweight world champion, Froch believes ‘AJ’ should swerve a bout with the American, should he overcome Franklin at the O2 Arena three weeks on Saturday.
“Would I put AJ in with Deontay Wilder? Probably not,” Froch told BonusCodeBets.
“It’s a dangerous fight for him and one he loses.
“He probably gets chinned. I can’t see him beating Tyson Fury, too much of an ask, especially right now.
“It’s good he’s fighting Jermaine Franklin. It’s a good match.
“Franklin gave Dillian Whyte a good test and it’s a fair match up for AJ to come back into boxing after losing back to back against Usyk.
“He’s entitled to one steady fight.
“It’s a must win, he has to win. After that, who does he fight? Wilder – too risky. Fury – I don’t think he wins that fight.
“Probably Dillian Whyte is the way he’ll go but he’s done it all ready.”
Hearn revealed last year that he had held positive discussions with Wilder’s manager Shelly Finkel regarding a future match-up between the explosive heavyweights.
Wilder appears in limbo at the moment with an ordered fight against Andy Ruiz Jr for the right to face WBC champion, Tyson Fury seemingly yet to be signed.
Joshua, who has relocated to Texas and linked-up with Derrick James for his crunch clash against Franklin, insists he will cross paths with the Alabama man before he hangs up his gloves.
“I feel like it is another conversation that we don’t have to have, because it will happen, and I think it is long overdue,” the 33-year-old told IFLTV.
“It’s been a conversation that has been happening for a long time.
“For me to sit here and say, ‘it is going to happen, it is going to happen’, it would feel like I am just waffling again. When it does [happen], it does, and it will.”
