WBC heavyweight world champion Deontay Wilder has warned Anthony Joshua he will not face an easy fight when he takes on Eric Molina at Manchester Arena on December 10.

Joshua will make the second defence of his IBF heavyweight title and will be expected to secure a victory against an opponent who has lost three of his 28 professional bouts to date.

One of Molina’s previous defeats came against Wilder in June 2015 although the WBC champion had to overcome a third-round wobble before eventually stopping his fellow American in the ninth.

Wilder was impressed by Molina during the fight and the 31-year-old has now told Joshua he will not have it all his own way in Manchester.

“Molina will be a challenge for him,” Wilder told Sky Sports. “He’ll come and try to fight, that’s for sure, and that’s what people don’t understand.

It’s not about who he is, or what his record is. It’s about what he is, and what he stands for, right now.”

Wilder believes his compatriot will be especially motivated for the fight, as there is a world title on the line, meaning Joshua will have to be especially wary of avoiding an upset in front of his home supporters.

“When you’re a champion, every fight is a tough fight – I don’t care what it is,” Wilder added. “These guys get tougher and tougher – no matter who they are, or what their record is.

When people fight for titles it brings the best out of them.” Joshua is available at 1.02 to secure victory while Molina is available at 15.00 and the draw is on offer at 29.00.