Unified heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua says that he is surprised to be in line to face WBC king Tyson Fury.
Fury, though only one year Joshua’s senior, turned professional back in 2008. Joshua joined him in the paid code five years later after winning Olympic gold, but admits ‘The Gypsy King’ was never on his radar.
The pair now look set for a blockbuster two-fight series in 2021, which Joshua admits comes as a big surprise given their differing journeys to the top of the heavyweight pile.
“He was a heavyweight well before my time,” Joshua said to Sky Sports. “He turned professional in 2008. That was the year I had my first amateur fight! I never thought I would catch up to Fury. He was never someone that was on my radar. So I’ve never known Tyson until I turned professional and started barking at the heels of these heavyweights who were docile.
“I started bringing some heat. Now they became relevant in my life. My relationship with Tyson is only because I progressed as quickly as I did, and he didn’t progress as quickly. He’s had two good wins – against Deontay Wilder and Wladimir Klitschko.
“Over a long period of time, a career that has spanned 12 years, I would have liked to have seen him in some more challenging competitions. But he knows what is right for him, and I know what is right for me. As a fighter he has done what he needs to do to be in the position he is in today, so good luck to him.”