In the midst of negotiating a fight against WBC World heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder, the biggest domestic rival for Anthony Joshua is getting more headlines as his comeback gets close by the day.
Tyson Fury versus Joshua is the most talked about British heavyweight fight at the moment and will no doubt reach new heights after ‘The Gypsy King’s’ comeback on June 9th.
During an interview with Polly James, Joshua spoke at length about his UK nemesis.
“He’s been out for a long time. He done well to get away from where he was but this game ain’t for the fainted hearted. You got to be a hundred percent dedicated. Anyone out there knows what it’s like when you’re working. When you don’t perform, someone’s gonna take your job,” told Joshua who has become the unified heavyweight during Fury’s absence.
Fury’s spectacular performance against Wladimir Klitschko in late 2015 remains as one of the greatest achievements in British boxing but Joshua points out the obvious. ‘The Gypsy King’s’ victory took place two years ago and taking a break that long from elite level boxing can prove out to be disastrous once fighting against top competition again.
But Joshua is willing to give Fury time to get back in form and then eventually fight him.
“He’s been out, what? Two years? At elite level, we all know the stories. Let’s say, for instance, Muhammad Ali, Leonard [Sugar Ray], when they all took breaks they were never the same. Hopefully, he [Fury] can come back, get a few warm-up fights.
“After that Klitschko fight, I was the one saying straight after that Klitschko fight ‘Tyson Fury, where you at’, that’s the guy I wanted to fight. He had his issues but if he can get himself back, and I think he deserves a warm-up fight or two, then we’ll scrap it out,” stated the WBO, WBA, IBF & IBO World heavyweight champion.
The former heavyweight king has voiced it loud and clear that Joshua would not last with him. ‘AJ’ goes back to his usual argument of improving his boxing skills at a steady rate each fight whilst also relying on heart and determination.
“Any top heavyweight will cause me difficulties. Anyone will but they know I’m a bit raw and green. Every fight I’m learning. Klitschko eleven, Takam [Carlos] ten, Parker [Joseph] twelve – those rounds done me a world of justice.
“He’s [Fury] six foot nine, he’s an awkward fighter. But as I said I think I’ve got that hunger to walk through fire. He’s been in the ring with me sparring when I was a kid, and he knows I can fight through the hard times and prevail. All the talking is irrelevant. I just love it when people step up to the plate and we get it on.”