Anthony Joshua remains hopeful for a potential fight against Tyson Fury, despite his rival`s recent reaffirmation of retirement.
Tyson Fury, 36, announced his retirement for the fifth time in January, only weeks after suffering his second consecutive loss to Oleksandr Usyk.
Fury, known for changing his stance on retirement, briefly suggested a return last month but has since doubled down on his decision to step away from the sport.
However, Joshua isn`t convinced by “The Gypsy King`s” claims and believes their anticipated all-British heavyweight clash will eventually come to fruition.
Sharing a photo of himself watching a Fury fight on his private Snapchat, Joshua wrote: “One of these days it`ll be standing in the opposite corner.”
“Ready and fully charged spiritually.”
A potential bout between Fury and Joshua has been discussed for over a decade but has never materialized in the ring.
They had previously agreed to a major two-fight deal in 2020, scheduled for the following year. However, these highly anticipated contests were cancelled after Deontay Wilder successfully won his arbitration case for a trilogy fight against Fury.
If the fight eventually happens, possibly in their later careers, it would offer both boxers a significant final payday and potentially settle the long-standing debate about who is the superior fighter.
Despite the persistent talk, Fury, who still feels he was unfairly judged in his recent defeat and denied the undisputed heavyweight title, maintains he has nothing left to prove in boxing.
Fury stated: “I hear a lot of talk about the Gypsy King returning to boxing and I ask this question: for what? What would I return for? More belts? I`ve won 22 of them.”
“I`ve been used up, that`s it, fair play to them, they got their use out of me. But I`m happy, I am happy, content with what I have achieved and accomplished. I`ve been around the world and back again. And this is what retirement looks like for the Gypsy King, not too shabby.”
He reiterated his position:
“I`m in no rush at all, to come back to boxing and get my face punched in. For what? What would I return for? I ask that question. I am retired and I am staying retired. I have nothing to prove to anybody and nothing to return for.”
Oliver Croft 
Neville Whittle