Anthony Joshua believes he'll fight Tyson Fury sooner rather than later
Wednesday 9 December 2015 15:01, UK
Anthony Joshua believes he will climb in to a ring to face newly-crowned world champion Tyson Fury sooner rather than later due to public demand.
Fury (25-0-KO18) ignited the heavyweight division on October 28 when he ended Wladimir Klitschko's 11-year reign and became WBA, WBO and IBF world champion.
With a host of names ready to challenge the Mancunian for his belts, Joshua (14-0-KO14) is confident he'll be propelled towards the front of the queue by the sheer weight of public opinion, which he credits for making December 12's British title fight with Dillian Whyte - live on Sky Sports Box Office.
The thing with me and Fury, and it's the same as me and the Dillian Whyte fight is, that people want to see us fight. Champion or no champion - they want to see us fight.
Joshua, 27, said: "I'd fight for that belt 100%. I've got to fight for that British belt first though. You've got him, Alexander Povetkin, Deontay Wilder. I wouldn't put David Haye up there just yet - he achieved more as a cruiserweight so I wouldn't put him there yet.
"The thing with me and Fury, and it's the same as me and the Dillian Whyte fight is, that people want to see us fight. Champion or no champion - they want to see us fight. That's why it'll be made. Even though I'm not at that level, I think it'll be fast-tracked.
"I thought it'd be routine [for Klitschko]. One man has really changed the course of heavyweight boxing. You've got guys like me and Dillian, Kubrat Pulev, Jennings, Povetkin - we should be fighting for the champion there.
"[IBF mandatory challenger] Vyacheslav Glazkov is small. I saw him fight against Steve Cunningham. Dereck Chisora is probably looking now. The division has woken up and people will be saying he beat him and I beat him and they'll all be stepping their game up. It's interesting now.
"On December 12, people want to see us go to war but they'll also be asking whether we are the guys to challenge. They're looking a year from now at a our potential. Are we good enough to fight down the line? Can they see snippets of greatness?"
While Joshua is adamant Whyte (16-0-KO13) stands no chance of repeating his now-famous 2009 amateur victory, he was quick to admit that his fellow Londoner is good enough to secure a future at the top level.
"I think he's a good prospect. I don't think this fight will be the end of Dillian. Fury has really brought that attention to the division so with us prospects coming through, people are really looking at us now. I think he'll be a world title challenger if he's managed right but I don't know if he'll be a world champion.
"I don't know if people see me as a good guy - they just want to see me beat up a few people. There are also people who want to see me get beaten up. That's what comes with the pressure and the hype. I want people to watch what I'm working on and you've got to market yourself and let everyone know what you're about."
Joshua's grudge bout with Whyte headlines a huge night of boxing, with Chris Eubank Jr facing Gary 'Spike' O'Sullivan and Kevin Mitchell, Tony Bellew, Luke Campbell and more in action.
Joshua vs Whyte is exclusively live on Sky Sports Box Office, December 12, and is now available to order via phone or online.
