GERALD WASHINGTON is primed and “ready” to welcome Anthony Joshua back to the ring.
Former two-time heavyweight champ Joshua is set to begin his career rebuild in April following back-to-back defeats to pound-for-pound king Oleksandr Usyk.
Several names are in the frame to face the Brit in a spring slug-fest, including 40-year-old former WBC heavyweight title challenger Washington.
Deontay Wilder‘s coach Malik Scott told Best Sports Betting Canada: “Gerald Washington is one of the leading names to possibly fight Anthony Joshua.
“It’s not a rumour, it’s an actual fact that he’s one of the options. And it’s something Gerald is ready for.”
Veteran heavyweight Washington – who fought Wilder in 2017 – is on the joint-worst run of his career following back-to-back TKO losses to Charles Martin and Ali Eren Demirezen.
But Scott believes The Black Rooster could potentially spring a major upset against AJ if he gets himself in the right frame of mind.
He said: “I keep telling people, Gerald is a big, strong, heavy-handed guy.
“The physicalities are there, but what we’ve been working on is mental stamina.
“And fighting at the highest level, that’s more important than the physical.
“Gerald is better than ever, he’s hungrier than ever, and I can’t wait for you guys to see him.
“And I can’t wait to see him under the lights myself.
“I’m very optimistic the fight will get made, especially at this point with the move they’re trying to do for AJ.
“That’s what makes me optimistic about it because I know the mission they’re on with AJ.
“And that’s not the mission I’m on for Deontay and AJ.”
Australia’s Demsey Mckean is also in contention to face Joshua later this year, although the ‘Machine’ recently dismissed suggestions he’s signed a bout agreement.
Defeat in his next outing would be curtains for Joshua’s faint world title hopes and could put the final nail into the coffin of his career.
Promoter Eddie Hearn told iFL TV: “You go into that fight in April and you know that defeat, it’s all over, really.
“It would be a third back-to-back defeat and yet a great performance and a showroom knockout will get everyone saying, ‘We’re back, baby.’
“That’s what I can’t wait for because I love it when our backs are against the wall.
“I’m excited, I’m really excited.
“This is the most excited I’ve been in Joshua’s journey so far.”
