It took a few hours but, eventually, Tyson Fury got around to replying to Anthony Joshua's completely unexpected taunting of the controversial heavyweight.
In a bizarre departure from Joshua's typically respectful manner, the 28-year-old branded Fury a "fat fuck" after telling him to get back into fight shape so that they could make their much-discussed all-British showdown a reality in 2018.
https://twitter.com/anthonyfjoshua/status/928549795802869761
It was one of several unusually abrasive tweets sent from Joshua's account on Thursday morning as he also took the time to call out WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder, WBO champ Joseph Parker and IFL TV interviewer Kugan Cassius.
Fury is currently on a mission to drop the significant weight he's put on in his two years away from the ring and he will likely take a couple of tune-up fights before he puts his undefeated record on the line against fellow unbeaten Englishman, Joshua.
And after Thursday's uncharacteristic tirade, Fury took to Instagram to deliver a succinct riposte.
"This is a message to the weightlifter, big Anthony Joshua," Fury said. "The big, tough man, that told me to 'get fit, fat fuck.'
"It’s a new one because he usually doesn’t swear, trying not to be himself, and he’s being himself now which is good.
"To be honest with you, my old mate, I don’t need to get fit to fight someone like you at all.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BbR5-5ZjN1c/?hl=en&taken-by=gypsyking101
"I could come to you and punch your face right into you, even at 25 stone.
"I've seen what you’re about, you just fought a midget. The referee had to stop it in case you got caught or beaten.
"Bum city, like I always said. Useless, no gas, no stamina, too many weights.
"You'd want to practice a bit more speed and less power. Bum."
