Many believe Tyson Fury is the No.1 in boxing’s glamour division, but rival Anthony Joshua says ‘The Gypsy King’ is ‘just another heavyweight’ and would not even be the best fighter he has faced in his career to date.
WBA Super, WBO and IBF heavyweight champion Joshua and WBC title-holder Fury have already agreed to a two-fight series in principle, should they negotiate contracted fights with Kubrat Pulev and Deontay Wilder respectively.
But despite the clamour for a titanic, undisputed heavyweight title clash that could potentially break boxing, Joshua has questioned the pace of Fury’s career and even suggested his bitter rival should be on the brink of retirement.
“Fury has been professional much longer than me. He should be looking to retire soon,” Joshua (23-1, 21 KOs) told Sky Sports. “If he wants to cement his legacy, I’m here and ready. I’ve built myself into this position.
“I’ll challenge Fury, I’ll challenge Wilder. These guys aren’t the biggest names that I’ve fought on my record anyway. They are just another heavyweight.
“Look at my record. They are not the best fighters that I have challenged. When they are ready, I’m here to fight.”
Joshua’s career resumé is often overlooked by his naysayers. He was fast-tracked to a world heavyweight title after just three years as a professional – with an easy win over lightly-regarded IBF champion Charles Martin – but has also beaten many of the division’s leading lights of recent times including Wladimir Klitschko, Alexander Povetkin, Joseph Parker, Andy Ruiz and Dillian Whyte.
“I came up quick. That shows I’m ready. These boys turned professional in 2008 and it took [Fury seven years] to fight for the heavyweight championship of the world,” said Joshua.
“[Fury is] on a completely different journey. I want to steam through.
“I haven’t got fear of Fury – whether he’s got a better chin than me, a better jab than me, whether he’s all of this stuff that people say. So be it. Let me go in there and prove myself. Show you who I am and what I can do.
“I’ve fought five champions and been in two unification fights. I’m a two-time heavyweight champion in the space of 24 fights and a [seven-year] career. It shows you I am serious.
“If Fury is serious, I’ll take that fight seriously, too.”