Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua trade insults as ‘battle of Britain’ moves closer

A blockbuster showdown between Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua moved a step closer after the British rivals traded insults at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday night.

Joshua watched at ringside as Fury blew away the cobwebs after 16 months out of the ring with an emphatic points victory over Arslanbek Makhmudov.

Once Fury had claimed a unanimous 120-108 120-108 119-109 win on the judges’ scorecards, he grabbed the microphone to beckon Joshua into the ring, declaring “let’s give the fans what they want – the battle of Britain”.

Initially, Joshua stared in silence at the ‘The Gypsy King’ before eventually giving his response.

“Tyson, you are a clout chaser. I’ve never had a problem getting in the ring with you. I punched you when we were kids. After watching you tonight, I’d do it again,” Joshua said.

“I’ll see you in that ring in due time. You won’t tell me what to do. When you’re ready, you tell me your conditions and I’ll tell you when I’m ready. I’m the landlord, remember that, you work for me.”

Echoing Fury’s comments during the week that they should make the fight happen as soon as possible to avoid circumstances such as injury or a surprise defeat derailing their plans, Joshua suggested it is likely to be the next appearance for both of them.

“I’m not here for clout, I’m here to fight. Contracts will be sent over, but you’ll probably see us in the ring next, more than likely,” Joshua said.

“He’s the one that retired. I’ve stayed in the ring, it’s on him. He disappears, comes back, disappears. I’m not here to chase fame, I’m a real person.

“I’ll fight him or the next person. I’m in the big fights, I make the big fights, that’s what I told him.”

Joshua was involved in a fatal car accident in Nigeria in December which killed two of his close friends and has not fought since.

“I was in a serious incident. There’s real stuff happening in my life. I’m not ducking anyone. Once I’m 100 per cent, I’ll fight,” he said.

“I run the game, you know I run the game. I’m a serious fighter. I’m very strong. When I hit Fury, I’m going to hurt him.”

Even though both fighters are past their best, there is still an appetite to see the two best British heavyweights of their generation clash in the ring.

“You are next. You are getting knocked out. Believe it,” Fury said to Joshua.

“Let’s give the fight fans what they want. Do not run from me this time. Ten years in the making. Let’s dance.

“By the way, I have dedicated this fight to my long-term friend, Ricky Hatton. May he rest in peace forever. I want to thank my lord and saviour Jesus Christ for this victory.

“I got 12 rounds against a tough opponent, a knockout specialist. That is better than a one rounder against a bum. I just took out the number five contender in the world with ease.”