Anthony Joshua accuses 'idiot' Tyson Fury of 'disrespecting boxing' in passionate rant after Oleksandr Usyk loss

27/06/2024 09:39

Anthony Joshua has lashed out at Tyson Fury’s treatment of Oleksandr Usyk before his rival’s defeat.

Fury recently succumbed to the same fate as Joshua last month as he came up short against Usyk in a points defeat which saw him miss out on the chance to become undisputed champion.

Prior to the loss, Fury had labelled the Ukrainian a ‘rabbit’, while mocking him for his size and suggesting it would be an easy night’s work.

But AJ has suggested the ‘Gypsy King’ got what he deserved when losing and insisted his behaviour was wrong.

He told reporters: "I’m glad Fury isn’t the undisputed champion. I just think he’s an idiot.

"If it was someone else I might think it was a shame I’ve always said he’s an idiot, he’s very disrespectful.

“Not in a way I care but I just feel like he thinks by stepping on other people that makes him feel better.

"I’m not in no competition with no-one. I’m in my own lane but he has to step on people to make himself feel good and that’s not good.

"The way he disrespected Usyk, 'rabbit' this and 'middleweight' that. it’s not good for the sport.

"If I respect you and you respect me we can lift this sport up and people think we are two of the most elite fighters in the world.

"But Fury will step on you and make you look like a guy who’s just walked out and a pub and he’s not on your level. Then he goes and gets spanked, he deserves it."

Joshua was previously on good terms with Fury, but their rivalry has heated up in recent years having failed to agree to a showdown.

The pair even spoke on FaceTime with Saudi boxing chief HE Turki Alalshikh and things nearly became spiky as they discussed a potential showdown.

AJ has also lost twice to Usyk himself, but remains chasing a shot at his fellow Briton which could be set up in 2025.

Fury will first look to secure revenge against ‘The Cat’ on December 21, and he is supremely confident of doing so.

Joshua will next face Daniel Dubois for the IBF world title on September 21, and a win could see him step in the ring with the winner of the sequel.

The former Olympic gold medallist insists he will not wait until age 40 to face Fury, and has suggested his boxing record is not up to scratch.

He continued: “I don’t mind anymore whether he wins or loses. I just want to fight him, it’s been dragging on.

“Fury ducks a lot of people, he doesn’t fight many people, many top-tier people. He needs to get on with it and come and fight me and stop wasting my time.

“I don’t want to wait until I’m 40, 41, 42 to fight him. He’s put himself in a position to make his own decisions. In terms of the fans, I know what they want.

“We tried to make the fight happen, it was signed and then it fell apart. Hopefully after this we can get it on, finally."