Joshua vs Breazeale: Tyson Fury is world's best heavyweight, says Peter Fury
Tuesday 21 June 2016 12:39, UK
Peter Fury has laughed off Barry Hearn's claim that lineal world heavyweight champion Tyson Fury would be a 'simple' fight for Anthony Joshua.
Joshua defends his IBF world heavyweight title against Dominic Breazeale on Saturday night - live on Sky Sports Box Office - and Hearn claimed earlier in the week that the Londoner (16-0-KO16) is already "the best heavyweight in the world."
But Peter Fury, who is preparing his nephew to defend the WBA Super and WBO crowns in a rematch with former divisional kingpin Wladimir Klitschko on July 9, has dismissed the idea Joshua's achievements are comparable.
He told Sky Sports: "It goes without saying that Tyson is world No 1. He deserves to be where he is because he's fought a lot better opposition and boxing is all about levels.
An unfit Dillian Whyte still gave Joshua problems so when you compare that with Tyson beating an 11-year world champion like Klitschko, it's almost laughable.
"Those are bold statements [from Hearn] and everyone is entitled to their opinion but for me, looking at it, it doesn't mean anything. It's crazy.
"It's going to be interesting because Tyson is going to keep winning and as long as he keeps winning, people can say whatever they like.
"Tyson has not taken the easy route. He did what nobody else in 11 years could do and if people can't wake up and smell the coffee from that, well... I think people know Tyson's talents but his character and background don't appeal to a lot of people so they try to ridicule him anyway they can.
"That aside, as a boxer, for me, his credentials simply can't be questioned."
Joshua won the world title with an emphatic early stoppage of Charles Martin on April 9 and is a heavy favourite to administer similar punishment to Breazeale (17-0-KO15) - but Fury believes the nature of Joshua's victories are only indicative of a relative lack of quality in opposition.
He added: "Let me put it into perspective. He's only been hit back once by Dillian Whyte and he had problems there. Dillian was training himself and he still gave Joshua problems.
"I'm not ridiculing Joshua but he's fought nobody. These other guys are irrelevant. He's a world champion who's had it gifted to him. He hasn't had a fight yet and we're yet to see him up against a guy who's coming to fight and is fit in the other corner.
"An unfit Dillian Whyte still gave Joshua problems so when you compare that with Tyson beating an 11-year world champion like Klitschko, it's almost laughable."
On the possibility of turning up at The O2 to watch Joshua's maiden defence, Fury added: "We won't be there because we've got other things to do. The only time we want to be ringside to watch Joshua is when Tyson is facing him from the opposite corner."
