Joshua: I Understand Fury's Frustration, He Wants To Prove Himself

By Jake Donovan

Anthony Joshua heads into this weekend 's fight against Andy Ruiz widely considered to be the best heavyweight in the world, and a bout which marks his long – awaited debut in the United States.

Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury – When we have the same issues.

The unbeaten, unified heavyweight title of such commentary, doing its best to take the lead of Saturday's headliner versus Ruiz. Their tops at DAZN-streamed show live from Madison Square Garden in New York City, which Joshua (22-0, 21KOs) is hoping to discuss during Tuesday's segment of ESPN First Take.

Instead, the three-person panel of Wilder and Fury-who've appeared on the show in consecutive weeks-regarding the unbeaten Brit.

"For me, Anthony Joshua needs to prove himself on the world stage," Fury (27-0-1, 19KOs) insisted on his segment a week ago. "He's so happy fighting in England, he fought Klitschko who I mentally destroyed-he had a war with a beaten fighter. He has got to prove he's willing to step up to the plate and fight the best. "

The clip was made with a grin and a proper response.

"Tyson Fury has his opinion and I respect it," Joshua stated. "It's why we're chasing these fights. Tyson Fury on April 13 (at Wembley Stadium in London, England). "

Joshua had hoped for a big fight at Wembley to follow his most recent bout, a 7th round knockout of Alexander Povetkin last September. The fight helped launch the DAZN streaming service in the United States, along with solidifying his place atop the heavyweight division, which has been the case at least since his thrilling, off-the-canvas knockout win over lin lin wrestling champion Wladimir Klitschko in their epic April 2017 war.

The end scored the third successful defense of the IBF heavyweight title Joshua acquired in a 2nd round knockout of then-unbeaten Charles Martin one year prior. The win over Klitschko included the vacant WBA title, adding the WBO strap in a 12-round win over Joseph Parker in their unification clash last March.

The entirety of Joshua's title reigns all the way through Povetkin all came while Fury was believed to be done with the sport. His career-best 12-round decision win over Klitschko to win the heavyweight world championship was his last fight for more than 30 months as he spent downtime overcoming injuries, a retroactive drug-testing suspension along with alcohol and substance abuse as well as mental health issues.

Fury returned to the ring last June, fighting three times The unbeaten Brit outboxed Wilder for most of the night.

Plans for a rematch were scrapped when Fury instead signed with Top Rank and ESPN, with that debut coming to a June 15 unclaimed Tom Schwarz in Las Vegas.

"Look, I fought Wladimir Klitschko, he's fought him as well. He's fought Wladimir Klitschko and Deontay Wilder in his 10-year career, "points out Joshua, who's scored wins over perennial Top 10 heavyweights in all but one of his last eight starts. "I understand his frustration, he wants to prove himself as well."

Saturday's bout will be the first in the U.S. for Joshua, who captured a gold medal in the 2012 London Olympics. The unbeaten heavyweight has previously been fought exclusively in the United Kingdom throughout its career. His stateside debut comes versus Ruiz (32-1, 21KOs), a California-based contender coming from Brooklyn's Jarrell Miller who was scratched after failing three drug tests while in training for the event.

Jake Donovan is a senior writer for BoxingScene.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox