Tyson Fury believes Anthony Joshua is not a top class boxer after losing three of his last five fights whilst claiming his legacy is "in tatters".
Joshua, 32, was outpointed by Oleksandr Usyk for the second time in 11 months last weekend as he lost a split decision to the heavyweight champion in Saudi Arabia. It was a valiant effort from the Brit and he did have more success against Usyk compared to their first meeting, but was ultimately outclassed by the Ukrainian as he suffered his second defeat on the bounce.
Fury is expected to end his retirement and fight Usyk in the first undisputed heavyweight title fight since 1999, if potential bidders for the fight can meet his £500million demand. 'The Gypsy King' has insisted that Joshua's legacy is in question after his recent loss to Usyk, telling talkSPORT : No disrespect to Joshua, because he's a 25-3 fighter or whatever he is but at top class world level boxing, he just can't cut it.
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"Joshua has found his level. He's come up once in that top level, he's lost three of his last five fights. I see [his legacy] as it's in tatters at the moment. Fury added he isn't interested in fighting Usyk and money is the sole purpose of the fight, stating: “I have no real interest in Usyk. Some man that no one can really say the name of. He’s a pumped up middleweight who beat AJ. It's not my fault he’s battered AJ, some bodybuilder. It's not my fault that's happened twice in a row, it's nothing to do with me."
Fury signed to fight Joshua last August in an undisputed clash, but the fight was cancelled in favour of Fury's trilogy with Deontay Wilder. Since avenging his loss to Andy Ruiz Jr in late 2019, Joshua has only tasted victory against Kubrat Pulev. Fury recently said he would have been willing to settle his longtime rivalry with Joshua, but only if no money would have been made from the fight
"The fight's got to be for free. "That's how the fight happens" Fury said. "Free-to-air television and all tickets go for free. No money is to be made out of this British historic fight if it happens. There's the terms, I'm in the driving seat, take it or effing leave it. The ball is in your court, guys. ... Either way, I don't give a damn."
