Boxing: Deontay Wilder soundly defeats Bermane Stiverne by TKO then calls out Anthony Joshua

Deontay Wilder sent a message to fellow heavyweight Anthony Joshua after a decisive opening round TKO of Bermane Stiverne in New York.

Wilder knocked Stiverne down repeatedly in defending his WBC heavyweight title at Barclays Centre in under three minutes. 

The 'Alabama Slammer' strutted to his corner victorious after being pulled away by the ref who stepped in to stop the fight with Stiverne on his knees. 

Following the win, Wilder called out WBA and IBF heavyweight champion Joshua as his next target, despite the Brit having a distinct size advantage.

"I declare war upon you [Anthony Joshua]," Wilder said.

"Do you accept my challenge? I know I'm the champion, I know I'm the best. Are you up for the test?

"A king doesn't chase the peasants. A king takes kings. I want Joshua. If he doesn't give me the fight we have other plans. The world wants Joshua, the world wants Wilder.

"Joshua come and see me baby. No more dodging, no more excuses. Make the date, don't wait."

Through British promoter Eddie Hearn, Joshua had a brutal response to Wilder.

"I texted that to Anthony today. I shouldn't really tell you the reply, but it was 'I'll eat him,' and the size difference is huge. It's two-and-a-half stone now between those two," Hearn told Sky Sports.

"Everybody wants to fight Anthony Joshua and you will see him fight everybody."