Anthony Joshua has reiterated his desire for a long-awaited showdown with Tyson Fury despite his recent retirement from boxing.

The long-anticipated clash between the two British heavyweights seemed set to happen until ‘The Gypsy King’ announced his retirement last month, following his second consecutive defeat to Oleksandr Usyk in December.

However, Anthony Joshua remains hopeful that the fight can still materialize, insisting that a bout with Fury makes more sense commercially than a potential rematch with Joseph Parker, who knocked out Martin Bakole in two rounds on Saturday in Riyadh.

Joshua: Fury Is the Best Fight for Me

Speaking to IFLTV, Joshua made it clear that Fury remains his preferred opponent.

“I feel like Fury’s the best fight [for me]. People might say [Joseph] Parker, people might say – I don’t know. But I think Fury, commercially, is a great fight, and it’s a great man’s fight as well. So I think it makes sense.”

Joshua acknowledged that their rivalry has been brewing for years but emphasized that the heavyweight division remains exciting.

“You could say it’s been years in the making. But listen, the heavyweight division has been thriving. And why I say it’s probably still a great fight is because Parker, for me, is a great story of someone who never gives up.”

The former two-time heavyweight champion also issued a strong warning ahead of a potential clash.
“There is going to be one winner and one loser, and there’s going to be bloodshed. And it ain’t gonna be mine.”

Joshua Reflects on Dubois and Parker’s Heavyweight Battle

Joshua has not fought since suffering a fifth-round knockout loss to Daniel Dubois at Wembley Stadium in September.

Dubois was initially scheduled to defend his IBF heavyweight world title against Parker on Saturday but withdrew due to illness. Bakole stepped in on 48 hours’ notice before suffering a brutal knockout.

When asked how Parker would fare against Dubois, Joshua told Pro Boxing Fans.

“Dubois had to show a little bit more. His fight with [Filip] Hrgovic, he had to dig deep. In his fight with [Jarrell] Miller, he had to dig deep. His fight with me, it’s like he announced himself as the heavyweight slayer as he called himself. Dubois, for me, he’s just edging it.”