ANTHONY JOSHUA started training for Tyson Fury FIVE YEARS ago – but feared his rival was not serious about actually fighting.
At the time, was the unified WBA, IBF and WBO champion while had the WBC belt in order to create a historic four-belt undisputed bout.
Anthony Joshua and Richard RiakporheCredit: Refer to source
Tyson Fury beat Mariusz Wach in Thailand Credit: AP
The British pair had even agreed terms for the unification – but Fury was in the midst of a legal fight with Deontay Wilder.
And while AJ was training to face Fury – the Gypsy King lost his case with and was ordered into a trilogy bout with the American.
Fury went onto KO Wilder in their trilogy classic meanwhile Joshua was beaten by – losing his titles.
And he was even blamed for the collapse of Battle of Britain – something ex-training partner Richard Riakporhe defended him over.
Riakporhe said on SunSport’s Corner Talk podcast: I was in camp with Joshua when we used to have the same coach, Angel Fernandez and I used to go to Finchley sometimes and train with him and they were training for Fury.
“Then the fight fell through. Then they got another date and they started training for Fury again.
“They said something about the contracts they can’t do the fight. Then it collapsed again.
“So this is two times they’re training for the fight and it fell through. So he thought this guy is just not serious.
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The Gypsy King has beaten Mariusz Wach in his second fight of the year to set up a huge fight with Anthony Joshua
And did the same, knocking out Kristian Prenga in the second round of a thrilling encounter – the Brit was knocked down twice in the opening round.
Now fans are looking forward to Itauma’s return for his toughest fight yet against Filip Hrgovic in August.
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- Sat 15 – Claressa Shields vs Kaye Scott – DAZN
- Sat 29 – Moses Itauma vs Filip Hrgovic – DAZN
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“And everybody was slagging Joshua online saying he doesn’t want to fight and stuff like that but I was with him.
“I can testify he was actually training. We’re all training, he had big sparring partners in the ring and he was preparing for him.
“But things happen.”
Joshua, 36, lost his rematch to Usyk, 39, in 2022 and has not touched heavyweight gold since.
And Fury’s WBC title reign was also ended by Usyk who beat the 37-year-old twice in 2024.
as he looks to finally settle the score against Fury this year.
AJ had to climb off the canvas twice in round one against Kristian Prenga, 35, in his comeback fight in Jeddah
Joshua knocked out Kristian Prenga in round two Credit: Getty
Fury beat Wach in seven rounds Credit: AFP
Fury had a more routine win in seven rounds just 24 hours beforehand in Thailand against Mariusz Wach.
Talks are now underway to finalise a date and venue for the all-Brit bout – where the legendary pair will put their legacies at stake.
Riakporhe, 36, said: “I know there’s so much on the line it’s not just about the money.
“If you understand the characters and really look deep into them and the people around them as I’m in the inside of the industry out here, it’s not about just making a bag and keeping it moving.
“No, it’s about legacy, there’s a fear of losing to your rival. Like it’s going to be there forever.
“Everybody is always going to talk about it. And it’s like that having that cloud over you for the rest of your life and some people just can’t take that.
“I feel like Fury can’t take that. He’s not going to be able to take that. With Usyk it’s a different story. Like okay oh well. But he doesn’t like Joshua.
“You can see that it’s not just about the money. So and same thing for for Joshua. Joshua’s on it.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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