Anthony Joshua says heavyweight rivals Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder would not be the best names on his record and insists he has no fear of facing them.
Unified WBA ‘Super’, WBO, IBF & IBO world champion, Joshua is edging closer towards a showdown with WBC titlist Fury, following mandatory challenger Dillian Whyte’s defeat to Alexander Povetkin and with a two-fight deal for 2021 already in place.
Joshua, 30, who is set to face IBF mandatory Kubrat Pulev believes Fury and former WBC champion Wilder would not represent the biggest names on his record, a slate which features Wladimir Klitschko, Joseph Parker, Andy Ruiz Jr and Povetkin, amongst others.
“I’ll challenge Fury, I’ll challenge Wilder,” Joshua told Sky Sports.
“These guys aren’t the biggest names that I’ve fought on my record anyway. They are just another heavyweight.
“Look at my record. They are not the best fighters that I have challenged.
“When they are ready, I’m here to fight.”
Fury is set to meet his American rival for a third time, following his stunning seventh round stoppage victory in Las Vegas in February, however the clash hinges on either a crowd in attendance or a large site fee to stage the fight without an audience present.
And Joshua, who has vowed to knock Fury out in six rounds, says he has no concern of challenging his compatriot and believes the ‘Gypsy King’ must face him to seal his legacy.
“Fury has been professional much longer than me. He should be looking to retire soon,” Joshua added.
“If he wants to cement his legacy, I’m here and ready. I’ve built myself into this position.”
“I haven’t got fear of Fury – whether he’s got a better chin than me, a better jab than me, whether he’s all of this stuff that people say. So be it. Let me go in there and prove myself. Show you who I am and what I can do.
“I’ve fought five champions and been in two unification fights. I’m a two-time heavyweight champion in the space of 24 fights and a [seven-year] career. It shows you I am serious.
“If Fury is serious, I’ll take that fight seriously too.”
Wilder revealed in April he is recovering from surgery after injuring his bicep in his defeat to Fury and with a proposed date of December 19 earmarked for the trilogy, Fury, 32, admitted he would be willing to face Joshua next.
“If Wilder don’t happen, lets do Joshua in December, why not?,” Fury told BT Sport on August 29.
“It’s a boxing match lets get it on. I’m ready to go now, I could fight him in that ring tonight it don’t really matter.
“I would still kick his a** anytime of the day.
“Do I see the fight happening any time soon? Hopefully, hopefully they grow a pair and want to fight the Gypsy King.”
