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Boxing

'This is my defence of AJ' - Tyson Fury praises rival Anthony Joshua

Alexander Netherton
'This is my defence of AJ' - Tyson Fury praises rival Anthony JoshuaGettyImages

WBC champion Tyson Fury has defended Anthony Joshua despite years of antagonism between the pair.

Fury and Joshua were slated to meet last year in a fight to decided the undisputed heavyweight title, but ultimately Fury was obliged to make a trilogy rematch against Deontay Wilder, and then fought Dillian Whyte in a mandatory defence back in April this year.

Joshua for his part lost his IBF, WBA and WBO belts to Oleksandr Usyk, and the pair are expected to take part in a rematch this August.

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Fury has poked fun over the years at Joshua, both before and after his title loss against the Ukrainian, but notably failed to take shots in the immediate aftermath of his defeat.

Speaking on social media, Fury went further by praising the accomplishments of his potential rival.

“This is my defence of AJ,” Fury stated. “Everyone’s saying AJ’s a bum, he’s this, he’s that, he can’t fight because he’s lost a few.

“But AJ has made it in life. The man can go to the pub every single day and drink Peroni if he wants to. He can go on holiday every day, he can play with his kids every day of his life.

“So I don’t want to hear any more of this bull— that AJ’s useless, he’s this, he’s that, he can’t fight. The man’s made it!”