Fury and Joshua talk up future showdown as Tyson ready to return
TYSON Fury and Anthony Joshua have again been locked in a war of words as the pair target a future showdown.
Fury is still currently suspended by the British Boxing Board of Control pending the hearing of his UKAD case, while Joshua is preparing for a likely rematch with Wladimir Klitschko later this year.
WBA and IBF champion Joshua decided to call out his domestic rival for a fight earlier this week, and Fury insists he would be more than happy to oblige.
“I really don’t believe that AJ can lace my boots up. People do want to see the fight between me and AJ. The world wants to see it because I am still the lineal heavyweight champion and everybody knows that,” said Fury.
“I walked away from boxing because I wasn’t interested there were no challengers there. I beat the best man there was.
“But now it seems that I’ve been out two years and there are a few more challengers. People think that AJ can beat me. I don’t think he can, personally.
“I want to come back and see how good I am even with the time out. Me vs AJ is the biggest fight in boxing without a doubt.
“If this fight isn’t made, it will be like Lennox Lewis and Riddick Bowe. Now there are new challenges I can motivate myself again. Let me get my situation on track, get fit and then I’ll fight AJ. May the best man win.”
Fury is unbeaten in his professional career, but hasn’t fought since defeating Klitschko for the world titles in November 2015.
He later vacated the belts, with Joshua now holding the WBA and IBF versions after his win against Klitschko at Wembley Stadium in April.
Joshua has responded to Fury’s claims, admitting that it is a fight that the world desperately wants to happen.
“It’s a fight that people want to see. He’s one of my boxing rivals and I need this competition throughout my career,” he said.
“Tyson makes a lot of noise and he’s made it clear that he wants to fight me. When he is fit, when he’s ready, we’ll be ready.
“We’re patient. I wish him a speedy recovery with all the stuff that he’s got going on outside the ring. I can’t wait for him to get back.
“We’ll see if I can lace his boots when we come to blows, but I don’t think Tyson can even lace his own boots at the minute!
“I’ll always fight Tyson Fury, not because of the ‘lineal champion’ business. But because the public want to see it. I fight for entertainment, not for belts or glory. Just pure entertainment and passion.”