Anthony Joshua says Tyson Fury ‘should be looking to retire soon’
The unified world heavyweight champion hopes to face his British rival to confirm an undisputed champion in the division next year
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Anthony Joshua believes Tyson Fury "should be looking to retire soon" before casting doubt on whether bouts with his British rival or Deontay Wilder would represent the biggest tests of his career.
Fury, the WBC heavyweight champion, turned professional in December 2008, nearly five years before Olympic champion Joshua, who holds the WBA, IBF and WBO titles in boxing's blue riband division.
The pair have an agreement, in principle, to face each other next year but Joshua must first overcome mandatory challenger Kubrat Pulev while Fury is contractually obligated to face Wilder for a third time.
"Fury has been professional much longer than me. He should be looking to retire soon," Joshua told Sky Sports. "If he wants to cement his legacy, I'm here and ready. I've built myself into this position.
"I came up quick. That shows I'm ready. These boys (Fury and Wilder) turned professional in 2008 and it took (Fury) seven years to fight for the heavyweight championship of the world. He's on a completely different journey.
"I want to steam through. I've fought five champions and been in two unification fights. I'm a two-time heavyweight champion in the space of 24 fights and a (seven-year) career. It shows you I am serious."
Fury, 32, became a world champion in his 25th fight when he dethroned the long-reigning Wladimir Klitschko in a performance for the ages in 2015.
Joshua clinched world honours the following year in his 16th contest when he stopped Charles Martin and the 30-year-old Watford fighter has since beaten Klitschko, Joseph Parker, Alexander Povetkin and avenged a defeat to Andy Ruiz Jr.
Tyson Fury urges Deontay Wilder to agree trilogy fight
Fury’s promoter Frank Warren insists the WBC champion will fight this year
While a meeting with Fury - or even Wilder - would be widely regarded as blockbuster events, Joshua added: "These guys aren't the biggest names that I've fought on my record anyway. They are just another heavyweight.
"Look at my record. They are not the best fighters that I have challenged. I'll challenge Fury, I'll challenge Wilder. When they are ready, I'm here to fight.
"I haven't got fear of Fury - whether he's got a better chin than me, a better jab than me, whether he's all of this stuff that people say. So be it. Let me go in there and prove myself, show you who I am and what I can do."
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments