Deontay Wilder claims he lost respect for Anthony Joshua long before his defeat to Andy Ruiz Jr.

The feud of the heavyweight champions relates back to private conversations they had while trying to make a fight with one another in 2017 and 2018.

Getty 3 Deontay Wilder has been WBC champion since 2015

Talks for an undisputed heavyweight title clash between Joshua and Wilder dominated boxing news headlines for over a year, with public words of bitterness being exchanged from promoters and managers in the media.

However, it appears as though the fighters’ relationship truly soured behind the scenes.

When asked about AJ’s recent comments suggesting he’s been frozen out of the heavyweight picture by his rivals, Wilder told 78SPORTSTV: “I’ll never freeze nobody out.

“I’m in the business of blessing people. Just like I tried to before, in the beginning.

Getty 3 AJ held the WBA, IBF & WBO titles before being dethroned by Andy Ruiz

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“Just like we had private conversations, but you went and ran and showed your masters.

“I don’t respect you no more, bro. I don’t have no respect.

“When we had those private conversations and you went back and showed Eddie what we was talking about, then you lost my respect wholeheartedly.

“People don’t even f*** with you like that. Even in your own country bro. I’ve been there almost three weeks now. People talk, I spoke to all of them.

“It’s crazy, but you know I keep that to myself.”

Getty 3 Wilder is due to have a rematch with Luis Ortiz next

As things stand, an undisputed title fight between Wilder and Joshua is currently out of reach, with the Brit needing to win his rematch with conqueror Andy Ruiz Jr to make it possible again.

Meanwhile, the American is scheduled to face Luis Ortiz next, then Tyson Fury. He insists the ‘Gypsy King’ should step aside if a unification opportunity arises.