Anthony Joshua admits hoping for Tyson Fury’s return

Speaking to Sky Sports, Anthony Joshua warned Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury of his “fight instinct”, and admitted hoping for the return the “Gypsy King” so the pair can fight.

IBF, WBA and WBO heavyweight champion Joshua is aiming to take Wilder’s WBC belt before fighting Fury, who announced his comeback last week after two-and-a-half years out.

“When you’re a fighter you can’t let certain things slide,” Joshua said about his rivals’ trash talk.

“Sometimes you use it as fuel but, at the same time, when you’re hearing it constantly you have to let it slide off your back. It’s hard, though.

”It’s a balance because, even though I try to keep it professional and I don’t want to bite back, I’ve got that fight instinct. Sometimes you need to give as good as you get.

”I’d rather do it face-to-face. That’s what I’m waiting for. That’s what I’ve always said.

”Even though Fury went through what he went through, I hoped for his return so he can fight soon.

”Wilder – we’re looking at negotiations to see whether we can get that going. There’s a lot of talk across the pond but it will be good when we come face-to-face.”

Joshua, after beating fellow champion Joseph Parker, has turned his attention towards a fight against Wilder that would crown the undisputed heavyweight champion.

Joshua had previously expressed irritation with the fighting talk from Fury, who hasn’t boxed since ending Wladimir Klitschko’s world title reign in November 2015.

”He has to get himself back in action and worry about what he is doing, rather than sitting at home commentating on my fights.

”He should be getting a bit of motivation and hunger back in the belly to get training and get back in the ring because realistically people don’t want to see a commentator. They want to see a fighter fight.”