For the most part, Anthony Joshua rises above the trash talk.
‘AJ’ is not the type of fighter who likes to hype up pay-per-views by downplaying the talents of his opponents or lobbing personal insults in the hope of getting inside his challengers’ heads.
Even when faced with a short-notice replacement in Carlos Takam, Joshua refused to take it for granted that he would come out on top in Cardiff two weeks ago.
Three men are currently vying for the opportunity to face off with the London 2012 gold medallist in 2018 – Tyson Fury, Deontay Wilder and Joseph Parker – and Joshua has departed from his usual respectful character to call each out in a different way on Thursday morning.
Joshua’s first tweet of the morning was directed at Parker, the WBO heavyweight champion who recently claimed that “we are very close [to agreeing the fight]. From their side, they are very interested. From our side, we are in it 100 per cent.” But Joshua wholly rejects those claims from the Kiwi.
.@joeboxerparker Sips tea, continues to read tweets & refreshes email.. Still No Offer pic.twitter.com/micG0WdtuA
— Anthony Joshua (@anthonyjoshua) November 9, 2017
The Brit’s next message was for WBC champ, Deontay Wilder. ‘AJ’ attached a video of an interview he did this week with IFL TV in which he said that “no offers have been made from their or our side; we had a mandatory in place, and now we’re taking the time and effort to get the ball rolling. There’s one thing talking and acting, but negotiations don’t happen over social media. We’re now making the moves forward.”
A little word on the @BronzeBomber fight. Ready & waiting for the offer 👉🏾 https://t.co/9dt7N5MwaS
— Anthony Joshua (@anthonyjoshua) November 9, 2017
Joshua had few words for Tyson Fury, who has insisted that he will finish ‘AJ’ inside eight rounds. As the controversial heavyweight continues to get back into fight shape after ballooning to 27 stone in his time away from the ring, he’s repeatedly goaded Joshua on social media.
& @Tyson_Fury get fit you fat fuck
— Anthony Joshua (@anthonyjoshua) November 9, 2017
It wasn’t just his three rivals who felt Joshua’s wrath, however, as he also hit out at IFL TV’s Kugan Cassius’ claim that we were seeing “the real Anthony Joshua.”
The real anthony joshua? Because of what ?…. a swear word? Shut the fuck up. https://t.co/du6Aooy90o
— Anthony Joshua (@anthonyjoshua) November 9, 2017
Pipe down son https://t.co/VhT0L3ipud
— Anthony Joshua (@anthonyjoshua) November 9, 2017
Someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed…