Anthony Joshua has been touted as the future of British and Heavyweight boxing, a man whose classy, admirable approach, combined with his ferocious in-ring performances, has made him a well-respected ambassador for British boxing. In light of fellow Brit Tyson Fury's stunning world title win this past weekend against Wladimir Klitschko, Joshua's name has been projected even more into the world title picture, with many already speculating and insisting on a showdown next year between the new world champion and the man touted as the future king of heavyweight boxing. Joshua remains calm and diplomatic when questioned on the matter, re-affirming his steady progression to that level whilst insisting he has the capabilities to dethrone the new heavyweight champion.
"If the opportunity presented itself, we'd take the fight. It's only a fight, at the end of the day, heavyweight champion or not. It's a square ring, one opponent, and my job is to beat him, so of course I'm going in there with the same mentality," Joshua recently told Sky Sports news. He was then asked why he has not made any reference to Fury's world title win on any of his social media outlets. Joshua, however, played it down, insisting his only focus is upon himself while congratulating the new champion on his victory.
"It's interesting. Every time I'm pulling up to a petrol station or checking social media, everyone says, 'When are you going to fight Tyson Fury?' This was way before he became champion. There's always been an interest there. People want it to happen, so at some stage down the line, it will happen, whether it's next year or the year after," Joshua explained. "I believe I can beat anyone, so I can beat Tyson Fury. If the opportunity presents itself and it was the right opportunity, we would definitely take the fight."
Joshua, who obviously tuned in Saturday evening to witness history as Fury dethroned the long-reigning champion, has suggested a Fury win has "lit up the division" and has set a path for himself to follow suit.
"I watched it of course and that's something we haven't achieved in 10 years. He's heavyweight champion of the world, something that I'm destined to do myself. Credit to him. My gut instinct told me Klitschko because it's been routine for the last 10 years. I wasn't going to go against the house. Round six, I thought Klitschko would do it, but it came to the late rounds and I credited Fury for pulling it off," Joshua added. "It's changed the division. The division is lit up. I just have to follow suit and wait for my chance so I can come through and dominate at some stage. At the same time, he's entertaining. He's got that Jerry Maguire story with Mick Hennessy and he's brought boxing back to Great Britain. You've got young guns like myself and Dillian Whyte who are going to cause mayhem."
Fellow Brit and returning former champion David Haye recently made comments referencing a sparring session between Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury, suggesting that Fury could not handle Joshua's punches during that session. Joshua, however, has played down that sparring session, reminding people that what happened in sparring years ago has no significance to what is happening now or in the future. Fury previously admitted that Joshua "beat him up" in sparring, which will no doubt be used in a build-up to any potential showdown between the two.
In an ideal world, these two would meet next because of the high public demand, but in reality, Joshua is only two years into a professional career with 14 fights under his belts. If Joshua disposes of his fierce rival, Dillian Whyte, on December 12, no doubt that talk of Fury-Joshua showdown will resurface.