ANTHONY JOSHUA has revealed why he would never be friend to the likes of Tyson Fury and Dillian Whyte.
Joshua returns to the ring early on Sunday morning at Madison Square Garden in New York, where he’ll take on American Andy Ruiz.
The bout will be Joshua’s first since his seventh-round knockout victory over Alexander Povetkin at Wembley last September.
Joshua’s nine-month layoff is the longest of his five-and-a-half-year professional career, which has led many to wonder if ring rust will be a factor in his latest title defence.
‘AJ’ is well aware of the concerns about his time on the sidelines but is adamant his enforced absence won’t have a detrimental effect, citing Fury’s comeback after a three-year layoff as a testament to that fact.
In an interview with the Daily Mail, Joshua, the WBA (Super), WBO, IBF and IBO heavyweight champion, said: “Look at Tyson.
“He was out of the ring for three years but he’s come back like he was never away. Once you know how to do it (boxing), you always know how to do it.”
A showdown between Joshua and Fury is very much at the top of British fight fans’ wish-lists and could very well come to fruition next year.
Joshua respects Fury for battling through his demons to make it back into the ring but questions his overall dedication to the sport of boxing.
He added: “But it’s not the achievements that matter. Let’s say Fury beats me one day and so would be world champion. That wouldn’t make him a better person than me. It’s the lifestyle, the discipline, the regimen.
“That’s why I don’t make friends with guys like Tyson and Dillian (Whyte). I don’t give a damn about them. All I care about is myself and what I get out of boxing.”
Despite being out for so long, Joshua believes he’s still ahead of the chasing pack and well on course to becoming the finished product.
“At the start of my career I was coming on leaps and bounds,” the 29-year-old said. “It’s a more gradual process once you’re the leader of the pack. But if I am to stay ahead of the game I must keep improving.