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Wilder: Joshua shouldn't take Ruiz Jr. rematch next WBC heavyweight world champion Deontay Wilder says Anthony Joshua needs a warm up match to restore confidence before he is ready for a rematch with Andy Ruiz Jr.

WBC heavyweight world champion Deontay Wilder says Anthony Joshua should wait before fighting Andy Ruiz Jr again, while also hinting he could fight the Mexican himself at some stage.

Wilder, speaking exclusively to ESPN, said he is potentially looking at facing Ruiz Jr himself should any rematch with Joshua fail to be arranged.

"We'll see what happens, but what if Ruiz Jr and Joshua don't fight? If they don't take the rematch, then we'll be looking forward to Ruiz Jr jumping into a unification bout."

Wilder, 33, also had some advice for Joshua, who suffered a shock defeat to Ruiz Jr and lost his WBA (Super), IBF, WBO and IBO heavyweight titles in the process.

"Due to the circumstances of how he lost, no. I wouldn't do it [face Ruiz in rematch]. But he's the fighter. He knows what he's going to do, to be capable of doing. I would advise him to go with his heart. Don't try to make others happy.

"They don't want to fight. They're not going to get in the ring. They are not going to put their lives on the line. Whatever he feels he should do, I would advise him to do that."

There was also a suggestion from Wilder that a rematch with Luis Ortiz is in the works. Wilder defeated Ortiz by TKO in the tenth round when they fought in May earlier this year, and the American, who has the held the WBC heavyweight world belt sine 2015, is looking ahead to the pair facing each other once again.

"We're still looking for dates and a venue. It's closing in, getting closer and closer. There is an announcement coming, especially for the Ortiz fight."