Anthony Joshua has questioned Tyson Fury’s credentials and suggested that he has not fought at the top level for a long enough period to be considered one of the best of his generation.
The Brit was in bullish mood when asked about Fury, who he is expected to face next year in two blockbuster heavyweight showdowns after both sides agreed on the finances last month.
Joshua, who holds the WBA, WBO and IBF world titles, is ranked below Fury after the Manchester giant demolished Deontay Wilder in seven brutal rounds back in February to take the No 1 spot in the division.
But Joshua acted as if he is yet to be convinced that Fury, also a two-time world champion, even belongs in the top bracket as he appeared to accuse him of having a padded record.
Speaking about Fury’s armoury during a live Q&A session with Sky Sports, Joshua said: ‘If the sport is lacking so much talent, it just shows all you need is feints and a bit of movement to be classed as one of the all-time greats of this generation right?’
If it was the beginning of a campaign to get under Fury’s skin then what came next will have almost certainly tested his rival, not least cause an eyebrow to raise.
“That’s why I believe a little bit of hard work, motivation and studying and you can overcome that hurdle that maybe is Tyson Fury. That’s what I’m wondering, what is it that people see in Tyson Fury that is so intimidating or fearful or that he can’t be touched at the top level?”
“His first challenge was Wladimir Klitschko and he overcame that. That took him maybe eight years where he turned professional, built up his experience and confidence and finally fought Wladimir Klitshcko, then he had some years out and fought Deontay Wilder.”
“I just think he hasn’t been in the deep end enough to show me that he can swim there for a long time in my opinion. You have to continuously prove to me that you belong there, you don’t just come there once or twice you have got to continuously fight against championship fighters and that’s how you gain my respect.”
Both AJ and Fury have more immediate business to deal with first before their hugely anticipated fight can become a reality.
Joshua will defend the world titles he regained against Ruiz Jr last year against Kubrat Pulev while Fury is set for a third installment of his rivalry with Wilder.
