And you thought 2017 was a great year for British boxing...
When Tyson Fury announced *again* that he was making a return to the ring, most fight fans took it with a fairly healthy serving of salt because, quite frankly, Fury says a lot of shit.
Last week, the controversial heavyweight claimed that the wheels were in motion to see him make his long-awaited comeback and that he already had three fights in mind for 2018.
https://twitter.com/Tyson_Fury/status/918517988189528064?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.joe.co.uk%2Fsport%2Ftyson-fury-eyes-three-big-fights-in-2018-as-he-announces-boxing-return-145078
Many assumed that the "mega fight" referenced by Fury was a clash with fellow unbeaten Brit Anthony Joshua, who has attained superstar status while Fury has been out of action.
And 'AJ' has all but confirmed that he intends to fight Fury next summer,
telling Darren Gough of TalkSport: "we speak man."
Joshua was then explicitly asked whether he was one of Fury's targeted opponents and the London 2012 gold medallist answered: "Yeah."
Joshua is currently preparing for a last-minute opponent switch after mandatory challenger Kubrat Pulev withdrew from next weekend's fight in Cardiff with an injury. Cameroonian heavyweight Carlos Takam answered the call and now he will step up and attempt to upset the odds against Joshua next Saturday.
https://twitter.com/SportsJOE_UK/status/920271934818045952
And while the Principality Stadium is a sell-out for the October 28 bout, the biggest fight on the table for Joshua would undoubtedly be one which would see him put his undefeated record on the line against his fellow countryman, Fury.
"Not like talk - 'what’s happening mate,' it’s 'I’m going to knock you out, trust me' - me and him will get down and dirty real soon. It’s just fighting talk," Joshua continued.
"I’ve managed to contact him - he’s managed to contact me and everything you probably see on social is the same thing that happens behind the scenes."
It's been almost two years since Fury has fought, with his time at the top of the heavyweight division cut short due to several issues which have included injury, psychological troubles and traces of cocaine showing up in a blood test.
And while Fury has had few nice things to say about Joshua in recent years, 'AJ' is just hopeful that his British rival has put his personal problems behind him so that he can get back to doing what he does best.
"But besides all that, if there’s anything I can do to help support and help him get back in ring, I would do because we need people like him it brings out the best in the sport, it brings eyes to the sport and it benefits everyone," Joshua said.
"I’m looking forward to him getting back and adding a bit more dust to the storm because he’s talented he’s a good fighter."
