AJ WANTS MORE THAN WAR OF WORDS
ANTHONY JOSHUA has told Tyson Fury the time for Twitter blows is over – now it is time to exchange real punches.
The WBA, IBF and WBO heavyweight champion is on the brink of agreeing a deal to face the WBC title holder in an undisputed clash in June.
Joshua, 31, goaded Fury last week by claiming he is the “boss” of the division.
The Gypsy King (inset) then responded with a Tweet calling the unified champion a chicken.
Fury also questioned whether Joshua would agree to the fight, but AJ insists the time for talking is over as they prepare to sign contracts to face each other this summer.
He said: “Enough of this
Twitter back and forth, it’s about securing the fight and putting on a good show and using my energy to uplift people, not bring them down. I don’t want to demonise his character and use my energy to bring someone down. “I know I can beat him, I believe it and I will prove it.”
Saudi Arabia remains the favourite to host the clash between the two Brits as they close in on a deal.
Joshua (right) added: “June should be the date. Trust me. For the fans, for the people that have been calling it on for many, many months. Shout out to Fury and his team as well, hungry go-getters, that’s what we are.
“UK stand up. And to the world – we’re bringing it. I can’t wait. Undisputed.”
ANDY MURRAY fought back from a set down to beat Robin Haase in the first round of the ABN Amro World Tennis Tournament in Rotterdam.
Former world No.1 Murray, 123rd in the ATP rankings, showed all his trademark fighting spirit to clinch a 2-6 7-6 6-3 win.
Murray (right), who pulled out of the Australian Open after testing positive for coronavirus, was back on court after losing last week in his first ATP Tour match for four months.
The Scot, 33, lost the first set in 34 minutes after being broken twice but saved two break points in the seventh game of the second and held his nerve in the tie-break to level.
Murray fell 3-0 behind after losing his
by DARREN WITCOOP opening service game in the decider but came storming back against world No.193 Haase and reeled off six games to seal a memorable victory.
British No.3 Cameron Norrie continued his good start to 2021 with a 6-0 6-3 victory over Nikoloz Basilashvili in the same event in Holland.
COLLIN MORIKAWA hailed Tiger Woods, who is recovering from a car crash, after joining him in elite company with his first World Golf Championship victory.
After his triumph at the Workday Championship in Florida on Sunday, Morikawa said: “Tiger means everything to me. Thankfully he’s all right and hopefully he has a quick recovery.”