Tyson Fury has told talkSPORT he is proud of what Anthony Joshua has achieved in his boxing career and says his fellow heavyweight should feel no shame over his defeat to Andy Ruiz Jr.
In one of boxing’s biggest ever upsets, Joshua lost his WBA, IBF & WBO world heavyweight titles to Ruiz Jr at Madison Square Garden in June.
He will look to avenge that loss – the first of his professional career – in Saudi Arabia on December 7 and, ahead of that rematch, Fury spoke positively about his fellow Brit.
Speaking on the Sports Breakfast, the Gypsy King said: “You can only do your best in life. You can’t please everybody.
“He tried his best, it wasn’t good enough on the night. He didn’t look right, he didn’t look like he wanted to be there for whatever reason.
“But it was what it was. You can’t do any better than your best and if it is not good enough there is no shame in that. The shame is not doing it in the beginning, not following your dreams. But he has done.
“He has changed his stars. Started from the bottom, straight to the top. He has done very, very well.
“I am proud of him as a person and as a sportsman.
“Ruiz is a top little fighting fella. Game as they come. It is a tough fight for anybody. People underestimate him because of the way looks. You can’t judge a book by its cover.”
Boxing fans would love to see an all-British battle for the heavyweight crown between Fury and Joshua but will it ever happen?
“I believe 100 per cent yes. It has got to happen,” said Fury, when that question was put to him by Alan Brazil and Ally McCoist.
“I have three fights left on my contract. Deontay Wilder is next and if Wilder wants it again, he can. Then I will fight the winner of Joshua and Ruiz Jr for sure.”
