Anthony Joshua has mocked Tyson Fury's "rabbit" social media call-out videos to Oleksandr Usyk after his latest win.
Joshua stepped back in the ring this weekend outpointing American contender Jermaine Franklin at London's O2 arena to end his turbulent run of form in the heavyweight division. AJ was searching for a statement response after losing twice to Usyk, but failed to KO his rival despite being scored ahead unanimously on the judges scorecards.
After the fight, the fans screamed suggesting that the British star should fight his bitter rival Fury next to which he responded by demanding that the champion's team get in contact. The 'Gypsy King' is currently out of action after his potential undisputed title fight with Usyk collapsed as the Ukrainian walked away following his potential foe's public demands.
Fury made a number of ranting social media call-outs to Usyk during negotiations, including suggestions that there should be no rematch clause and he is handed a 70/30 purse split. Joshua has now performed an impression of Fury's video at his post-fight press conference holding his phone above his head next to promoter Eddie Hearn.
He then shouted: "You aren't going to beat Tyson Fury in a verbal contest. He is like 'Jimmy I’m calling you out tomorrow so come and fight me at Croxdale Park'. What does he do every day on the internet? ’70/30 you rabbit.'” Fury's social media deadlines for a potential fight with Joshua last year also were a part of the public negotiations, with the fight collapsing after Joshua missed the contract ultimatum.
Joshua is still keen to finally settle the scores with Fury, but in response to his demands with Usyk, has demanded that Fury keeps quiet if the pair are to negotiate a future showdown. “I try and provide for the fans, I know who the fans want – Fury, yeah? The ball is in his court,” Joshua said in his post-fight interview. "I would be 100 per cent honoured to compete for the WBC Championship of the world.
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“I stand here and say that proudly, that would be an honour. Wherever you are, if you are listening, you know my management, you know my promoter. We’ve had dialogue before so let’s continue this and hopefully we can get this done sooner rather than later. We aren’t getting any younger.”
He later added: "Save all that s***. If we’ll f***ing fight, let’s go. Shut the f*** up and that’s just how I feel because I got to save my energy for the fight. I’ll be real, I’ll be real. I respect the man. He’s achieved a lot. I just feel I don’t need to trash talk, verbally trash talk someone to make myself feel better."
