Tyson Fury is 5 or 6 years ahead of me but I don’t find him intimidating”- Anthony Joshua

WBA, IBF, and WBO heavyweight champion, Anthony Joshua, has said he should not be mentioned in the same category as Tyson Fury because he achieved so much in a shorter time frame compared to Fury.

Both heavyweight boxers have agreed financial terms on a two-fight deal, due to take place next year but Joshua, 30 believes Fury, 32, is ‘five or six years’ ahead of him in boxing terms.

Speaking to GQ Middle East, AJ said: “Being world champion, with all those knockouts, you do feel kind of unstoppable.

“But realistically, in boxing terms, I’m way ahead of where I should be. I’m working at such a quick pace. I shouldn’t even be in a position where I’m mentioned in Tyson Fury’s era.

“He’s five or six years ahead of me in terms of turning professional. In fact, when he was turning pro, I was just putting on my gloves for the first time.”

Fury became the number one ranked boxer in the heavyweight division after humiliating Deontay Wilder for the WBC title in February, but Joshua says he does not view Fury as a ‘massive threat’.

“Tyson needs educating. All of us athletes do.” Joshua continued.

“We often didn’t go far in school, so a lot of our comments and actions aren’t great. But let’s talk about him as a boxer.

“I don’t find him intimidating and I haven’t seen him do anything in the ring where I think, ‘this guy is going to be a massive threat’.

“He’s talented and he’s awkward, and that’s often enough to get you quite far in life.”