Deontay Wilder believes a bout with Anthony Joshua is still “the number one fight in the world” as he prepares to make his return to action on Saturday.

Wilder, 36, last fought a year ago and faces Robert Helenius in New York on his comeback.

The heavyweight’s goal is to become world champion again, but Wilder also has big plans for a bout against Britain’s Joshua.

“I would love to do that fight in Africa,” he told BBC Sport.

“It’s still the number one fight in the world for everyone. Everywhere I go, people always talk about me versus Joshua.”

There have been several classic heavyweight encounters in Africa, including Muhammad Ali’s fight with George Foreman in Kinshasa in 1974.

“We both have roots from there,” Wilder explained.

“I think it would be an amazing place to have it, to go back home. To go back to the motherland. A continent full of our people. I can just see that being an amazing fight, win, lose or draw.

“I think we’ll get the respect and love from all the people over there.”