Deontay Wilder still wants to fight Anthony Joshua despite the shock loss to Joseph Parker in Saudi Arabia on Saturday night.
Wilder and Joshua fought in separate fights on the 'Day of Judgment' card, with the pair set to finally face each other on March 9 if they win their respective fights.
However, Wilder was beaten on points by Parker as he slipped to the third defeat of his professional career. Joshua stopped Otto Wallin after five rounds, and his promoter Eddie Hearn revealed afterwards that they were going to announce a fight with Wilder that night, but this plan went out the window after the American lost.
Wilder insists he still has his sights set on Joshua but now believes his heavyweight rival will use Parker's loss as an excuse to avoid getting in the ring with him.
'They really don't want that fight. When I lost, did you see how happy he was when he came out?' Wilder said 78SPORTSTV.
Deontay Wilder (left) lost on points to Joseph Parker (right) in Saudi Arabia last weekend
His loss appeared to leave his hopes of fighting Anthony Joshua (pictured) in tatters, but Wilder still wants to face the Brit.
“He said, 'I don't need to fight Wilder.' Rumor had it he was talking about retiring if I won… March 9th the fight could still go ahead. But this is a perfect way for them to get out.”
In the immediate aftermath of Saturday's loss, Wilder strongly hinted in his post-fight interview that he might walk away from boxing, questioning whether he still had the “fire” to continue in the sport.
But later in the evening he made it clear via Instagram that he would not retire. He has vowed to come back better than ever to regain his world titles, but admitted he needs a change in mindset to achieve his goals.
'I have to find my killer instinct again. “I'm too at peace with it, I'm too happy,” he added.
“When I had that dog inside me, no one had a chance… I'm going to be a two-time heavyweight champion of the world.”
Wilder's fight against Parker was the first time he has been seen in the ring in over a year, and the 'Bronze Bomber' has admitted that inactivity played a role in his underperformance.
Wilder insists he can become world champion again and believes he is a 'much better fighter' than Parker despite losing to him on Saturday night
Parker has won praise from fans and pundits for nullifying Wilder's powerful right hand, while also upsetting the ex-world champion in the eighth round of their match.
Yet Wilder feels his opponent has 'done nothing' and insisted he is still a 'much better fighter' than the Kiwi.
'My timing was wrong due to inactivity. I'm disappointed because I know I'm a much better fighter than him,” Wilder said.
“I hurt him a few times, but I didn't make certain shots. It was a hesitation and I couldn't understand why… He has no desire to beat me at all, even on a beautiful day for him. He didn't do anything, neither of us really did anything.”