Anthony Joshua accuses Tyson Fury of 'ducking' opponents as he makes honest Oleksandr Usyk rematch prediction

Anthony Joshua has accused Tyson Fury of 'ducking' his opponents as boxing waits for the two heavyweight stars to finally get it on.

Despite a clamour for the huge-match up in the last decade Joshua and Fury are yet to share the ring, but an opportunity could finally present itself next year. On September 21, Joshua will take on fellow Brit Daniel Dubois at Wembley Stadium for the IBF world title, with Fury then rematching Ukrainian champion Oleksandr Usyk for the rest of the belts on December 21 in Saudi Arabia.

Twice world champion Joshua – who has suffered two defeats to undisputed champion Usyk – doesn't believe his long-time domestic rival has what it takes to avenge his own loss to Usyk, but insists he will face Fury with no belts on the line if the 35-year-old stops "wasting my time." Speaking to the Mirror, he said: "I don't mind anymore whether he wins or loses. I just want to fight him, it's been dragging on. Fury ducks a lot of people, he doesn't fight many top-tier people. He needs to get on with it and come and fight me and stop wasting my time.

"I said Usyk would win", added Joshua in an interview with iFL TV. "I do think Fury is a good fighter but there is levels. A cruiserweight nearly knocked him out. I don't think he underestimated him but what he was saying is that 'you are a middleweight and this and that'.

"It just goes to show that you can never downplay a fighter. Give them the credit they deserve to make sure that you don't go out in there thinking 'I am going to bully someone' and the next minute the tables can turn in a fight. Usyk put on a performance and Fury should maybe give him the respect he deserves next time."

Asked if Fury can win the rematch against Usyk, Joshua replied: "For me