Tyson Fury appeared to send Anthony Joshua a hidden message, calling out the Nigerian-born heavyweight with his gum shield.
The new WBC world heavyweight champion was wearing a gum shield in the colours of the Nigerian flag during his stoppage win against Deontay Wilder on Sunday morning. His gloves had the colours of the Nigerian flag.
Joshua is proud of his Nigerian heritage and is frequently seen donning both the British flag and the Nigerian flag. His parents were both born in Nigeria, and they moved to the UK when they were 25. Joshua was also born in Nigeria and commonly visits his former homeland.
Joshua, who regained the WBA, IBF and WBO belts, is also keen on landing a blockbuster unification showdown with Fury.
“I think Fury would fight me quicker than Wilder would, so, if that’s the case, I want him to win. Imagine that fight on British soil.
“If Tyson needs me, I’ll go out and spar with him to get him ready for Wilder.”
Before his defeat to Fury on Sunday morning, Joshua was desperate for a showdown with Wilder that would have seen either of the men become the first undisputed heavyweight champion since Lennox Lewis.
“It still puzzles me as to why it’s so difficult to pin this man down,” Joshua said. “This is the man I need to pin down to get the last ring and conquer this division.”
“You’ve got the two lords of the rings here,” he added. “The last one to unify, undisputed, the division. I’ve got four (including the IBO belt), he’s got one. I just need one more.”
With Fury knocking out Wilder, both Fury and Joshua may soon slug it out for the undisputed heavyweight crown.
