![\"\"](\"http:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/2.55282711.jpg\")
Anthony Joshua is adamant neither he nor Tyson Fury are overlooking their respective \u201cbanana skin\u201d opponents as anticipation builds towards a potential showdown between the two world heavyweight champions next year.<\/p>\nAnthony Joshua is adamant neither he nor Tyson Fury are overlooking their respective \u201cbanana skin\u201d opponents as anticipation builds towards a potential showdown between the two world heavyweight champions next year.<\/p>\n
It is understood Joshua\u2019s defense of his WBA, IBF and WBO crowns against Kubrat Pulev has been penciled in for December 12 at London\u2019s O2 Arena while Fury, the WBC champion, is committed to a third bout with Deontay Wilder.<\/p>\n
Joshua\u2019s promoter Eddie Hearn and Fury himself have already confirmed an initial agreement is in place for a blockbuster two fights between the British pair next year provided they avoid upset defeats in their next contests.<\/p>\n
Joshua knows from bitter experience that nothing can be taken for granted after last year\u2019s loss to Andy Ruiz Jr which sent shockwaves through the sport and although that was avenged, the Watford fighter is focused on Pulev.<\/p>\n
Pulev has won his last eight fights since suffering the only defeat of his professional career to Wladimir Klitschko in 2014, while Wilder\u2019s explosive power is well-renowned after amassing 41 stoppages in his 42-1 record.<\/p>\n
Asked who has the sterner test, Joshua told the PA news agency: \u201cWe\u2019ve got to put them on an equal playing field because if I say \u2018I\u2019ve got the bigger test\u2019 or \u2018he\u2019s got the bigger test\u2019, you never know what\u2019s going to happen.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019re both banana skin fights. It\u2019s like \u2018get past this one then there\u2019s the big one next\u2019, so this one is just as important as the big one.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen the time\u2019s right we\u2019ll fight. We\u2019re keen but I\u2019ve got Kubrat Pulev first which is a mandatory defense, which I have to do. Once I get past that I\u2019m a free agent.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m going to say we\u2019ll fight next year but everything else that comes with it, I\u2019ve just got to put to the back of my mind and just focus on Kubrat Pulev. Once I get past him, hopefully Fury will be the next one in line.\u201d<\/p>\n
The path towards an undisputed heavyweight title fight had one obstacle removed when Dillian Whyte suffered a shock defeat to Alexander Povetkin last month. Had Whyte won, he would have been mandated to fight Fury next February.<\/p>\n
But former world super-middleweight world champion Carl Froch revealed he was sent a direct message on Instagram by Fury, who allegedly cast doubt on a fight with Joshua going ahead.<\/p>\n
Joshua, promoting the release of a co-created capsule collection of easy-wear pieces with Hugo Boss, said: \u201cI listened to an interview the other week and (Fury) said that \u2018we need to make the fight and stop messing around\u2019.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut I thought we agreed the fight? Then he said if Dillian wins he\u2019s going to vacate the belt. I just think he\u2019s got a lot of things going on in his life that he says things that don\u2019t really add up.<\/p>\n
\u201cI respect him, I don\u2019t really know him but I respect him as a human. I could continue to talk but the best talking will be done in the ring. It\u2019s the best place to let our gloves do the talking.\u201d<\/p>\n
Joshua was pictured in a knee brace while attending a Black Lives Matter event earlier in the summer but he revealed he is back in training and enjoying it as he prepares for Pulev.<\/p>\n
Joshua said: \u201cIt\u2019s enjoyable at the minute and as the fight gets closer I just want it to stay like this, I don\u2019t it to become a stressful period in my life.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m actually enjoying training and they do say a happy fighter makes a good fighter.\u201d<\/p>\n