Anthony Joshua warned against ‘stupid’ fight after ‘one of the worst performances’ of his career
BOXING legend Roy Jones Jr has warned Anthony Joshua against the “stupid” idea of fighting Tyson Fury next.
AJ returned in April with victory over Jermaine Franklin in a performance criticised despite the shutout points verdict.
And Fury claimed he sent out an offer to his British rival for a fight in September – but Jones urged Joshua against it.
He told Boxing News: “Why would anyone come off one of the worst performances they’ve had in a long time, and go and fight Tyson Fury? How much sense does that make?
“Which one of us believes that, based off his last performance, that he would beat Tyson Fury? Who really thinks that?
“You’ve got to get comfortable with your team first before you take a fight of that magnitude.
“He clearly doesn’t have it together with his new trainer yet, so to fight the top guy of the division before having it together with your trainer, how stupid would that be?
“So no, you don’t put him in with Tyson Fury right now. Let him get comfortable with his new trainer first, then fight Tyson Fury.”
Joshua, 33, is in talks to return against Dillian Whyte, 35, in a rematch of the fight he won by stoppage in 2015.
But he also had a blockbuster in Saudi Arabia with Deontay Wilder, 37, in the pipeline for December.
CASINO SPECIAL – BEST ONLINE CASINOS FOR 2023
It leaves Fury, 34, struggling to find a next opponent following failed talks to unify the belts against Oleksandr Usyk, 36.
The historic first ever four-belt undisputed decider is still on the cards for December in the Middle East.
But for now, Fury is seeking a WBC mandatory challenger in the summer to keep him active.
WBC president Sulaiman told Sky Sports: “We have to take action. There are different options.
“I will address this with the board of governors because already we’re entering June, and there’s no scenario.
“That’s a possibility. If Wilder and Ruiz are not fighting for the final elimination, Joshua’s right there at No 3. That’s possible.
“We have to go through a process. The WBC board of governors will make that decision.”