Anthony Joshua has criticised Tyson Fury for how long it took him to fight for a world title and claimed his rival’s career could be approaching its end.
Fury turned pro in December 2008 and won his first world titles against Wladimir Klitschko seven years later in his 25th fight. Joshua needed just three years and 16 fights.
“Fury has been professional much longer than me. He should be looking to retire soon,” IBF, WBA and WBO heavyweight champion Joshua told Sky Sports about WBC holder Fury. “If he wants to cement his legacy, I’m here and ready. I’ve built myself into this position.”
Rival world heavyweight kingpins Joshua and Fury have agreed financial terms to two fights in 2021 that would decide the division’s undisputed champion.
First Joshua must defend his belts against mandatory challenger Kubrat Pulev, expected in December, while Fury is contracted to a third meeting with Deontay Wilder.
“I’ll challenge Fury, I’ll challenge Wilder,” said Joshua. “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.
Joshua ascended from being an Olympic gold medallist at London 2012 to a world champion just four years later but, despite losing his unbeaten record and titles to Andy Ruiz Jr, reclaimed them last December.
“I came up quick. That shows I’m ready. These boys turned professional in 2008 and it took [Fury seven years] to fight for the heavyweight championship of the world,” said Joshua. “He’s on a completely different journey. I want to steam through.
“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.