Former heavyweight world champion Tyson Fury has described Anthony Joshua as “a disgrace to boxing” for “avoiding” a title unification fight with Deontay Wilder.
Joshua is set to fight Russian Alexander Povetkin on September 22 in his next bout after defeating Kiwi boxer Joseph Parker in April.
Beating Povetkin would then likely lay the path for Joshua, the IBF, WBA, WBO and IBO champion, to face Wilder, who has held the WBC title since 2015.
“I think it’s such a sad time for heavyweight boxing because you’ve got the so-called super champion and golden boy, Anthony Joshua, and he is avoiding Deontay Wilder and will not fight him at any cost,” Fury said.
“If you’re not going to fight someone for 40 million, you’re not going to fight him for anything. It’s a disgrace and he’s a disgrace to boxing.
“And I think it needs somebody good enough to step up and take on the challenges and not be afraid – not be afraid to take risks and go to people’s backyards and do it.”
After criticising Joshua, Fury then playfully suggested he could potentially take on Wilder in the American’s backyard.
