Anthony Joshua has launched a stinging attack on boxing rival Tyson Fury, dubbing his fellow Briton an 'idiot' and claiming he deserved his recent defeat to Oleksandr Usyk.
Fury and Usyk's fight in Saudi Arabia last month went the distance, with the Ukrainian eventually winning via split decision.
The 35-year-old has vowed to win the rematch, which will take place on December 21.
Joshua, who has long engaged Fury in a war of words, has now ripped into his countryman.
Boxing news: Anthony Joshua has launched a stinging attack on Tyson Fury
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Per the Daily Star, he said: “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.”
With Usyk recently giving up the IBF belt, three other belts will be on the line when Fury fights in the rematch at the tail end of the year.
If Joshua beats Daniel Dubois, then a 2025 showdown could be on the cards for the mantle of undisputed champion.
And AJ has revealed he's determined to fight Fury after years of intense speculation.
“I don't mind anymore whether he wins or loses,” Joshua said. “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.
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Boxing news: Tyson Fury 'deserved' his defeat to Oleksandr Usyk according to Anthony Joshua
PA
"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.”
Fury, meanwhile, claimed he was 'inevitable' earlier this month - and also said he was going to 'redeem' himself when he goes up against Usyk for a second time.
Boxing news: Tyson Fury has vowed to avenge his defeat to Oleksandr Usyk
PA
"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.”
Fury, meanwhile, claimed he was 'inevitable' earlier this month - and also said he was going to 'redeem' himself when he goes up against Usyk for a second time.
