‘After I KO Wilder, AJ’s next’

Dominic Breazeale is determined to secure a rematch with Anthony Joshua

Dominic Breazeale has vowed to knockout Deontay Wilder inside three rounds and set up rematch with IBF, WBA and WBO heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua.

Breazeale challenges knockout specialist Wilder for his WBC crown at New York’s Barclays Center in the early hours of Sunday morning, live on Sky Sports, while Joshua faces Andy Ruiz Jr on June 1, live on Sky Sports Box Office.

The Californian (20-1, 18 KOs) has won all three fights inside the distance since suffering his sole career defeat to Joshua when he was stopped in seven rounds at The O2 Arena three years ago.

“It’s not if, it’s when I beat Wilder,” Breazeale told Sky Sports. “When I beat Wilder, I definitely will love to unify the titles against AJ.

Breazeale suffered a seventh-round TKO to Joshua at The O2

“I’ve understood for the last two-and-a-half years, almost three years since I fought AJ in the summer of 2016, that it was the only way to get back to him. It was my only way to get back to a rematch with AJ.

“AJ has no reason to come down to me and fight me. If I’ve got a belt that he wants, he’s definitely going to fight me for it. So a unification and undisputed heavyweight championship belt is definitely on the horizon.”

Breazeale says he has vastly improved since teaming up with trainer Virgil Hunter

Breazeale claims there has been a massive change in many aspects of his ring skills since teaming up with Amir Khan’s trainer Virgil Hunter.

“It’s been night and day. I’ve made some adjustments in training camp, I’ve got a new trainer and I’ve moved camp to a new place.

“I’ve learned why I’m using my jab as opposed to just using it because I’m a big guy. How to place the right hand, how to throw speed on it, defensive tactics as well.

“For a student athlete like myself, I learned a ton and I can’t wait to show it off on Saturday night.

Tale of the Tape – Wilder v Breazeale

“I’m glad I made the move to Virgil, he taught me a whole load of stuff. I got an understanding of why I’m still involved in boxing and why I’ve got a lot more to learn. I’ve probably been boxing for 10 years now and Virgil Hunter is going to be the man who gets me through the next 10 years.

Breazeale claims his fight with Wilder will not go past three rounds

“It’s definitely going to end in a knockout, I can’t tell you the round because I plan on doing different things in different rounds.

“My wife’s favourite number is three, I told her I’m going to get him out of there before three but I’m definitely not let it go past three, so a third-round knockout is my prediction.”

Watch Deontay Wilder’s WBC heavyweight title fight against Dominic Breazeale at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, from 2am on Sunday May 19, live on Sky Sports Action and Sky Sports Main Event.