Tyson Fury Says Anthony Joshua's Belts Are His 'Leftovers'

Tyson Fury has taken aim at Anthony Joshua, claiming he is the rightful owner of the younger boxer's WBA, WBO, IBF and IBO belts.

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Fury won the titles against Wladimir Klitschko in 2015, however, he subsequently relinquished them amid failed drugs tests and struggles with depression.

Appearing on This Morning, the newly-crowned WBC heavyweight champion described Joshua's titles as his 'leftovers'.

He said: "I've already been the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world. When I beat Klitschko I had all the belts, so as far as I'm concerned Anthony Joshua just has my leftovers.

"I never lost those belts, I had to take time out to deal with mental health issues, so they're my belts. Until a man is defeated in a boxing ring, how can you pretend to be the champion?"

Fighting talk from The Gypsy King then.

No doubt a unification clash between the two is what the people want to see, and Fury suggested that may be his last fight after his rematch with Deontay Wilder.

He said: "I've got two more fights left, then we're going to really think about what we do from there.

"How long does a piece of string go on? I'm undefeated in 31 professional fights and this is my 12th year as a professional."

Wilder triggered his rematch clause over the weekend, following his seventh round defeat to Fury last month, but the 31-year-old doesn't appear overly worried about that.

He said: "I beat him the first time and I beat him the second time and I will surely beat him the third time.

"He's a very worthy opponent. He's a very dangerous opponent and he has the eraser knockout.

"You're only one mistake away from disaster, you have to be switched on for all 12 rounds."

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Fury also revealed that he is in the process of setting up a boxing club to 'encourage kids to follow their dreams'.

He said: "I'm opening a local boxing club now where I am, I'm in the process of doing it.

"Like I had a chance to walking into a boxing club as a kid and do what I did today, I want to give other kids that opportunity.

"I just want to be positive and encourage kids to follow their dreams like I followed mine.

"So many people said it was impossible to do, so I know what it's like to be told you can't do something.

"I want to tell people everything is possible if you put your mind to it."

Topics: Tyson Fury, Anthony Joshua, Boxing

Jake Massey

Jake Massey is a journalist at LADbible. He graduated from Newcastle University, where he learnt a bit about media and a lot about living without heating. After spending a few years in Australia and New Zealand, Jake secured a role at an obscure radio station in Norwich, inadvertently becoming a real-life Alan Partridge in the process. From there, Jake became a reporter at the Eastern Daily Press. Jake enjoys playing football, listening to music and writing about himself in the third person.

@jakesmassey