ANTHONY JOSHUA MIGHT regret going public with his offer to spar Tyson Fury but the unified heavyweight world champion believes practice rounds against his fellow Briton would be beneficial to both men.
Fury is set to return to the ring in February for a rematch with WBC champion Deontay Wilder, a contest that two-time IBF, WBA and WBO champion Joshua will have a keen eye on.
In an interview with Sky Sports News on Tuesday, Joshua surprisingly told Fury he would be willing to be one of his sparring partners ahead of the Wilder bout.
That offer was welcomed by Fury, who said on Instagram that he would “really love” to have Joshua in his training camp, and while the ‘AJ’ conceded he perhaps should not have spoken about it publicly, he expanded on why he would want to spar a potential future opponent.
Speaking to iFL TV, Joshua said: “Sometimes, when I look back at some of the shit I say, I think, ‘Why did I say that?’
“Fury’s a world-class fighter and I’m a world-class fighter that’s still trying to improve so I can become an elite-level fighter when I’m fighting.
Sparring Fury’s only going to do me good, in my opinion. I’m never too big for my boots where I can’t learn any more. That opportunity for me to spar Fury is for my own benefit as well.
“The reason why I thought about it and why it came to fruition for me is because I feel like if Fury was to win that fight, I think he would be more inclined to fight me next and quicker than Wilder would.
“How long I’ve been waiting to fight for the [WBC] championship belt… I think if Fury had it, me and him would have got a deal done already now. That’s why I was rooting for Fury to win because I just want to fight and collect my last belt.”
Eddie Hearn, Joshua’s promoter, did not dismiss the prospect of his prized asset going toe to toe with Fury in sparring either.
Hearn also predicted the two will meet in the ring down the line, regardless of whether Fury beats Wilder or not.
“When I saw [Joshua's comments], I was like, ‘How you gonna do that?’,” he said in his own interview with iFL.
I wouldn’t be surprised. I think now he’s said it, I really wouldn’t be surprised if he ended up flying out there and doing some rounds.
“It’s a weird one. They will definitely fight.
If Fury wins against Wilder, or loses against Wilder, I promise you AJ and Fury will fight at some point in the future. Unquestionably.
- Omni
Out with the old, in with the new. Great chance for Conor. Pretty much guarantees him the Munster no 9 shirt too.
O gara shud be out half for his territorial kicking alone
Where’s Leo??
Savin’ him for the Aussies
Eh…Leo? You can’t seriously be insinuating that he should start ahead of the mighty duo from Munster?
well at the very least he’s head and shoulders above Ryan on the bench!
Ryan can play both lock and blindside flank, where as Leo is exclusively a lock. Not to prejudice Leo, his record peaks for itself, but Ryan is a rising talent and the utility element is hard to ignore for any coach.
I don’t know what a blindside flank is! I’ve just leapt onto the rugby bandwagon! Come on you boys in green come on you boys in green come on you boys come on you boys in green! What’s a scrum half?
Ryan can cover both back row and lock, that’s why he’s there.
dont worry about the yanks………italy will be after our scalp big time, they owe us one from the six nations!!!
I would expect that once the Italy game comes around both teams will be probably Won 2 lost 1 with progression hanging on the outcome of it. don’t expect it to be pretty!
I’ve heard several pundits/experts say that Ferris should play in 2nd row with O Connell against Aussies, with Jennings,Heaslip & O Brien in the back row. Think it would be a good move which would add extra dynamism to the pack.
This looks very much like the team with one or two possible exceptions (Healy for Court) and maybe some tinkering with the backrow that is going to be used for the 1st two games at least.