ANTHONY JOSHUA says he shouldn’t be mentioned as being in the same era as big Brit rival Tyson Fury. The pair of heavyweight world champions have agreed to fight each other twice in 2021. But both men have other commitments first, with Fury in line for a third fight against Deontay Wilder on December 19 and Joshua taking […]
ANTHONY JOSHUA says he shouldn’t be mentioned as being in the same era as big Brit rival Tyson Fury.
The pair of heavyweight world champions have agreed to fight each other twice in 2021.
But both men have other commitments first, with Fury in line for a third fight against Deontay Wilder on December 19 and Joshua taking on mandatory IBF challenger Kubrat Pulev.
Should they both come through their respective fights, then all the belts will be on the line in their undisputed clash.
Yet Joshua claims that he is ‘five or six years’ behind Fury despite working at ‘such a quick pace’.
In an interview with GQ, WBA, WBO and IBF heavyweight champ Joshua said: “Being world champion, with all those knockouts, you do feel kind of unstoppable.
“But realistically, in boxing terms, I’m way ahead of where I should be. I’m working at such a quick pace.
“I shouldn’t even be in a position where I’m mentioned in Tyson Fury’s era. He’s five or six years ahead of me in terms of turning professional.
“In fact, when he was turning pro, I was just putting on my gloves for the first time.”
Despite AJ admitting he is some way behind Fury in terms of boxing experience, he is adamant he is not ‘intimidated’ by the WBC king.
The 30-year-old added: “Let’s talk about him as a boxer. I don’t find him intimidating.
“And I haven’t seen him do anything in the ring where I think, ‘This guy is going to be a massive threat’.
“He’s talented, and he’s awkward, and that’s often enough to get you quite far in life.”
Appearing on BT Sport as a special studio guest at the weekend for Daniel Dubois’ easy win against Ricardo Snijders, Fury is desperate for the fight.
The 33-year-old said: “If Wilder doesn’t happen, let’s do Joshua in December. Let’s get it on. I’m ready to go now, I’d have fought him in that ring tonight.
“I’d still kick his a***, any time of the day. Hopefully they grow a pair and want to fight the Gypsy King.
“Grow a pair, come see the champ, and I’ll sort you all out. I’m just waiting here patiently.”
