Anthony Joshua was humble when he was asked about how he would fare against Tyson Fury despite the Gypsy King losing back-to-back fights against Ukrainian Oleksandr Usyk

Anthony Joshua showed his humility when he was asked how a fight between himself and Tyson Fury would play out.

While it may have been tempting for Joshua to share that he would dominate his long-time rival should the two men finally have their day, the 35-year-old simply said that “only God knows” how a fight would actually go. The two titans of British boxing, Joshua of Matchroom Boxing and Fury of Queensberry Promotions, have been embroiled in a much-hyped heavyweight rivalry for the best part of a decade, leaving fans across the globe on tenterhooks for a definitive clash to decide the superior boxer.

When asked about what he made of his compatriot following his second consecutive defeat to Oleksandr Usyk, as well as how a fight would go between himself and Fury, Joshua told Channels Television: “We’ll see, let us get in the ring. Only God knows, but for me we’ll see in the future.”

And while fans have been waiting for an age to finally see AJ and Fury duke it out in the squared circle, it seems as though 2025 could finally be the year for the blockbuster bout. Asked about his vision for the year, Joshua admitted: “Three-time world champion, and Tyson Fury.”

Pushed for a timeline for the megabucks fight with the ‘Gypsy King’, Joshua wasn’t precise but added: “I’m not sure, but that’s my target,” before gazing purposefully into the camera and explaining: “2025, I’m targeting Tyson Fury,” reports the Mirror US.

He also let slip his eagerness to square off with his British arch-rival sooner rather than later, explaining: “Time is of the essence, time is limited. So, I just want to put in more work. In 2024, when I look back, I believe I could have done more, and I have another chance in 2025 to do more.

“I’m going to make sure that I take every opportunity that comes my way.” Expanding on his sentiments, he said: “Ups and downs, they happen. To some people, it is always up. My life is up and down, so I have got to get used to the turbulent times and keep riding the wave. I can’t stop now. I have to keep going until I reach my destination.”

Joshua is on the warpath to redemption following a roller-coaster period where he lost his world titles to Usyk in 2021 before missing out on an IBF belt to Daniel Dubois last year – the latter bout culminating in a devastating fifth-round knockout. Eddie Hearn, AJ’s promoter, points to only Dubois and Fury as meaningful contenders for the future, though Dubois has his plate full with an upcoming defense against Joseph Parker in February.

Dubois has also been vocal about wanting a second tango with Usyk for undisputed greatness. Meanwhile, Fury, who is also no longer a champion after two consecutive losses to Usyk, has hinted at retirement. Post-loss, he said: “You might see me in a boxing ring again, you might not.”

Nonetheless, The Sun reports that his friends have said that he’s not quite done yet, fueling further talk of an all-British blockbuster bout with Joshua. The duo have been trading verbal jabs for years and even settled on the financial terms for a two-bout deal before negotiations fell through. Now, as both fighters are in the process of regrouping, fans are keeping their fingers crossed that they might finally witness the showdown in 2025.