JOSHUA IS FURY-IOUS

Angry Ant: I’ve no respect for Tyson

ANTHONY JOSHUA says he has no respect for Tyson Fury.

The IBF and WBA champion is furious with the former champion after he labelled him a “bum” and questioned his performance against Carlos Takam in October.

Joshua said: “What we are achieving as heavyweight champions is phenomenal, but for someone in my own industry to discredit it, I can’t respect that person.

“I don’t respect him. I don’t have much respect for many boxers in the heavyweight division.

“It’s not an act with me. I’m being honest. I used to. I used to say very nice things.

Struggling

“If I speak well of Tyson Fury and say, ‘What he’s achieved is so hard and I respect him’, it builds the credibility of the heavyweight championship belt up.

“But when Tyson Fury says, ‘Anthony Joshua is a bum’ and, ‘Look at him, he’s struggling against this opponent’, it discredits everything I’ve achieved.”

Fury has not fought since his 2015 win over Wladimir Klitschko due to his battle with UK Anti-Doping and well-documented issues with cocaine and mental health.

The former WBA, IBF and WBO champion accepted a backdated two-year doping ban in December for a failed test in February 2015. ®

But he still needs to regain his British Boxing Board of Control licence – with a hearing due this month – and lose around six stone before he can get back in the ring.

That means a clash with Joshua in 2018 is unlikely.

“He is a lively opponent when he is fit,” said Joshua. “He has his own battles and demons to face and once he has got over them, he’s more than welcome to enter a ring with me. It’s something we should be focusing on in 2018. “With all due respect to Tyson Fury, it would be wise if his handlers got him a few fights. Get the body ticking over again and get that love for the sport back. Get a few wins under the belt and then we can get it cracking.” Joshua has confirmed a deal for a clash with WBO champion Joseph Parker is “95 per cent” complete as he aims to unify the division this year.