Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua’s war of words shows no signs of letting up after another instalment on social media.
Fury posted what appears to be a doctored image of Joshua on Twitter, wearing a T-shirt with a picture of the Manchester fighter following his win against Wladimir Klitschko.
The 27-year-old captioned the snap: ‘Who I think myself a cheerleader, she is always right there when I need her,’ misquoting the lyrics to the 2012 hit-song ‘Cheerleader’ by OMI.
Tyson Fury shared what appeared to be a doctored image of heavyweight rival Anthony Joshua on Twitter
Joshua celebrates after winning the IBF heavyweight title bout against Charles Martin earlier this month
Fury has mocked his fellow heavyweight champion over his decision to defend his IBF crown against American Dominic Breazeale.
Fury, the WBA Super and WBO champion, believes Breazeale to represent an insufficient challenge for Joshua and previously wrote on Twitter: ‘Let’s not give @anthonyfjoshua a hard time over his opponent, just remember he as only had 16 fights, &still Learning.’
Joshua, 26, became the IBF heavyweight champion with a sensational second-round knockout of Charles Martin at London’s O2 Arena earlier this month, extending his professional record to 16-0.
The Watford-born fighter has been critical of Fury too, branding him ‘fat boy’ and offering to help him shed weight for his upcoming rematch against Wladimir Klitschko on July 9.
Fury, though, offered a defiant response to remarks about his physique. He said during an interview with Sky Sports: ‘We all do weights obviously because we are heavyweights, but I am never going to be Mr Universe and I don’t need to be. I am a fighting man.’
Fury has offered a defiant response to Joshua’s comments over his physique and the pair could yet fight
Joshua’s emphatic second-round stoppage of Charles Martin sealed him the IBF heavyweight title on April 9
Fury added: ‘That’s what I am. I am a natural fighter. I am the Gipsy King. I don’t need muscles – and you can’t put muscles on your chin. I’ve beaten plenty of six packs, don’t worry about that.’
Fury and Joshua have both spoken enthusiastically over the possibility of meeting in a world title unification bout later this year and if this online goading continues, the bout looks likely to be booked.