Tyson Fury has admitted he was deeply ‘wounded’ when he watched rival champion Anthony Joshua lose his heavyweight belts last weekend.
The WBC king had hoped deposed WBA Super, WBO and IBF champion Joshua would prevail to keep the dream of their undisputed heavyweight title fight alive, but could only look on in disappointment as his fellow Briton was outfoxed by a livewire Oleksandr Usyk at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
But Fury has refused to criticise Joshua despite watching their lucrative unification fade from immediate view with AJ set to rematch Usyk in early 2022 and the Gypsy King still with an October 9 date against nemesis Deontay Wilder to negotiate.
“I can’t be thinking about what happened in other fights. I can only think about me. I know it’s selfish, but it’s a very selfish game that I’m in. So, I haven’t really thought about Usyk or Joshua,” said Fury (30-0-1, 21 KOs) in a Zoom call with reporters on Wednesday evening.
“One thing I will say, though, while everyone’s listening, is I’ve got no interest in slating anybody, you know, or kicking anybody while they’re down. It ain’t my style.
“I like to pick on someone who’s doing well, successful, on top of the game. I don’t like picking on people who are down and probably at their lowest point and probably mentally unstable or unwell, when they’ve lost after such a long reign.
“So, you know, Usyk done his job. He had to do what he had to do. And that’s that. And Joshua’s gotta do what he’s gotta do. But like I said, none of my real business. Can’t say I’m interested because I’ve got ‘The Bronze Bomber’ to deal with. And then whoever’s next, we’ll deal with them, just like I’ve done my other opponents I’ve already faced.
“[Usyk] did his job and that’s all I know. He won his fight. Good luck to him. There’s not much to express. Did I watch the fight? Yes, I did. Was I absolutely wounded that he won? Yes, I was. I was hoping Joshua could win the fight, but he couldn’t and that’s none of my business.”