Anthony Joshua has called into question rival Tyson Fury’s track record.
The IBF, WBA and WBO champion is expected to fight Fury, the holder of the WBC heavyweight title, in 2021. The fighters have agreed terms, though no date has been set for the clash, and both men have fights to deal with before their proposed bput.
Fury is expected to meet Deontay Wilder for the third time on 19 December, while Joshua is due to meet his mandatory IBF challenger Kubrat Pulev that same month.
At 31, Joshua is a year younger than Fury but asked why his rival doesn't have a better resume.
"Remember, he was a heavyweight well before my time," Joshua said, speaking to Sky Sports.
"He turned professional in 2008. That was the year I had my first amateur fight!
"I never thought I would catch up to Fury. He was never someone that was on my radar.
"So I've never known Tyson until I turned professional and started barking at the heels of these heavyweights who were docile.
"I started bringing some heat. Now they became relevant in my life.
"My relationship with Tyson is only because I progressed as quickly as I did, and he didn't progress as quickly.”
While Joshua acknowledged Fury’s successes, he suggested he has failed to make as many big fights as would be expected.
"He's had two good wins — against Deontay Wilder and Wladimir Klitschko.
"Over a long period of time, a career that has spanned 12 years, I would have liked to have seen him in some more challenging competitions.
"But he knows what is right for him, and I know what is right for me. As a fighter he has done what he needs to do to be in the position he is in today, so good luck to him."
With Pulev ahead of him in December, Joshua believes that he is prepared to take on Fury in 2021.
Joshua answered: "Providing I get past Pulev, what more can I do to prove that I am ready to fight Fury?"