Deontay Wilder doesn’t believe that Wladimir Klitschko would want to cross paths with him in the ring.

Deontay Wilder is willing to take on the biggest names at heavyweight to claim his status in the division. When it comes to former reigning unified champion Wladimir Klitschko, Wilder feels that he would have to build himself back up after a few setbacks in the ring.

“When he (Klitschko) come back, you gotta build yourself back up,” said Wilder. “Especially with someone like me, cause I’m coming in for the kill. You know, I ain’t playing around with nobody. And I don’t think he would want that fight, to be honest; in my opinion. Klitschko had many times to challenge me.”

Klitschko, 43, (64-5, 53KOs) is reportedly in talks with streaming platform DAZN to come out of retirement. His last appearance in the ring was in April 2017, when he challenged Anthony Joshua for the IBF, and vacant WBA (Super) and IBO heavyweight titles.

In a fight where both men left everything in the ring and each tasted the canvas, Joshua got the better of Klitschko and stopped him in the eleventh round; after the referee felt that he had seen enough. An agreement with DAZN could put Klitschko into position for a rematch with Joshua, who also fights for DAZN.

Prior to Joshua, Klitschko put his WBA (Super), IBF, WBO, IBO, The Ring and lineal heavyweight titles on the line against Tyson Fury in November 2015. Fury went on to dethrone Klitschko of the lineal heavyweight crown by unanimous decision, after Klitschko had ruled the division and captured the titles in a reign that lasted from 2006 to 2015.

Wilder, 33, (40-0-1, 39KOs), who holds the WBC title, also knows the challenge that his opponents in the division expect out of him.

“They’ve came in the best shape of their lives at that moment in time,” said Wilder. “And I love that. That make me feel like ‘damn I know I’m the dangerous guy.’ They know what they up for. That’s what you have to do. But I don’t think Klitschko looking at the path of coming down Deontay Wilder.”