Anthony Joshua vs Joe Joyce: Unseen sparring footage emerges

Previously unreleased footage of Anthony Joshua and Joe Joyce sparring has been released amid rumours of a potential fight.

The British fighters have been engaged in a war of words on social media after Joshua included Joyce as a potential opponent he wants to fight.

The 40-second montage shows the pair engaged in battle in a fascinating series of exchanges.

Sparring is mainly used as a training exercise, and isn’t exactly an accurate representation of what a fight between the pair would be like.

But still, it is a rare insight into a training session between two of the world’s top heavyweights today.

Following his defeat to Oleksandr Usyk last year, Joshua activated his rematch clause to face the Ukrainian again, but this now looks set to be delayed.

Usyk has signed up for the Kyiv Territorial Defence to protect his country from Russian forces, so he will be out of action for the time being.

Anthony Joshua and Joe Joyce sparring footage has now emerged… pic.twitter.com/vuncO0sRQN

In the meantime, Joshua will be looking for an interim bout in May or June against a different opponent.

Promoter Eddie Hearn has said Joshua gave him his four-man list of potential opponents, the list included: Joe Joyce, Deontay Wilder, Luis Ortiz and Otto Wallin.

The social media exchange between the pair started when a fan doubted whether Joshua would take a fight with Joyce.

Joshua tweeted: “You really think I wouldn’t fight Joe Joyce.”

He then followed up with: “I boxed Joe and stopped him in one round. I’d do the same thing today. Ain’t nothing changed.”

Joyce initially replied with: “Let’s got to my yout, let’s do it in Nigeria.”

Five days later, Joyce came back with: “Anthony Joshua, you having a meltdown? Where’s all your belts?