WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder has promised boxing fans that a unification title bout against Anthony Joshua will happen, but warns them to stay patient.
On Sunday (NZT), Wilder defended his belt with a brutal first-round knockout of compatriot Dominic Breazeale in Brooklyn, improving his record to 41-0-1.
The bout was Wilder's first since his controversial draw against Tyson Fury, where the Brit looked down and out on the canvas, before rising to his feet to finish the fight.
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There were calls for a rematch against Fury or a bout against WBA, IBF, IBO and WBO heavyweight champion Joshua, but neither of those have eventuated.
Wilder is again interested in negotiating with Joshua, who took seven rounds to beat Breazeale in 2016.
"The great thing about this is all these fights are in discussion, no doors are closed," Wilder told Showtime.
"All teams, all parties that are involved are talking and that's the great thing about it.
"We know when the big fights happen, everything is going to be silenced. There are too many people involved, too many opinions involved right now.
"It's going to take my team and his team - maybe me and him as well - to sit down and hammer this, and squash everything and get this fight done for the fans.
"This fight will happen. The big fight will happen, I promise you that.
"With patience, come time, and I just want you guys to have patience and give us a little time to make this thing happen, so we all benefit from it, not only just you fans.
"We risk our lives in here, so we want to make sure we get the best and the most money that's possible.
"We're risking our lives. The head is not meant to be hit in the first place, so let us get our time to iron out all the differences and you guys will know when that happens."
Before the bout, Wilder said Breazeale's life was on the line, as he was still trying to get a "body" on his record.
The 33-year-old's knockout was so savage, commentator Mauro Ranallo said: "Wilder hit Breazeale so hard, they are feeling it in Brazil."
Joshua's promoter, Eddie Hearn, said a fight against Wilder must happen, if his fighter can beat Any Ruiz Jr next month in New York.
"That was an impressive win for Deontay - he's exciting to watch," Hearn told Sky Sports.
"He has taken care of business, now AJ needs to do the same against Ruiz Jr at Madison Square Garden on June 1.
"The fight with AJ and Wilder is the biggest fight in the sport, and all being well, in two weeks' time, it must happen next - no excuses. This is the fight that will change the sport globally.
"It's a legacy fight and AJ wants it so bad. Two big, fast, dangerous and fearless world heavyweight world champions that can turn the lights out with a blink of the eye - it's a must.
"First things first, taking care of business on his American debut on June 1 and send a message straight back."
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