Tyson Fury has urged Anthony Joshua to resist distractions over a potential Deontay Wilder fight and stay on course for a blockbuster showdown.
Former world champions Fury and Joshua have a long-standing rivalry but have yet to meet in an all-British heavyweight showdown.
Fury is adamant that their huge battle can’t wait any longer.
Regarding AJ, Fury said: “I don’t think he should have (a tune-up fight). I think he should start this fight as soon as possible in case something happens along the way.”
“A lot of games like that were supposed to happen over the last 10 years. (But they thought:) ‘We just have to play one more game in between, we just have to play one more time’… Something went wrong, an injury happened, something happened.”
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Tyson Fury is determined to fight domestic rival Anthony Joshua before retiring
Joshua entered boxing in December in a surprise matchup with YouTuber-turned-pro boxer Jake Paul, while Fury is set to fight in his return fight against Arslanbek Makhmudov on Saturday.
“You had a prelude in December, I’m here now having a prelude. I’ve been out of the ring longer than he has, I’ve been out of the ring for 16 months. Let’s do it, let’s dance,” Fury declared.
“Forget about Wilder. This guy is a shell of himself. It’s sad to watch. Forget about everyone else. Let him get through Saturday night and he’ll fight this year. Nothing could be fairer than that. Forget about everyone else.”
He added: “The thing is, anything can happen in heavyweight boxing. There are no easy fights. They’re all hard fights, and if you get knocked upside down, it’s over and you’re done.”
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Highlights of the heavyweight bout between Deontay Wilder and Derek Chisora. Chisora vs Wilder is available to watch worldwide only on DAZN
Joshua watched Wilder defeat Derek Chisora at the O2 last weekend, but Fury is unsure whether AJ will attend Saturday’s fight at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
“If the guy plays fair, if he doesn’t, I understand. That’s what it is. Everybody does what they have to do for themselves in life,” Fury said.
“They don’t do it for others, they do it for themselves, especially in business. If he comes, he comes, and if he doesn’t come, he doesn’t come. Whoever comes, I don’t have a skin on my nose.”
“I want the next fight and I’m sure AJ feels the same way. But most of all, I have to fight Arslanbek and after that we’ll settle everything. If, but, maybe, who knows?”
