Anthony Joshua claimed he sparred against rival Tyson Fury for a Rolex watch over 10 years ago
ANTHONY JOSHUA called time on rival Tyson Fury last year after months of failed talks for a bumper fight - and revealed they once sparred for a brand new Rolex watch.
AJ returned to the ring with an underwhelming points victory over Jermaine Franklin on Saturday, but says he is ready to take on the Gypsy King.
But the former British world heavyweight champ was just an amateur when he first fought the Gypsy King.
And AJ revealed that he read in boxing bible Boxing News that Fury was in London looking for sparring partners - and if anyone knocked him down they would get his expensive Rolex watch.
Joshua previously told : "This was early on when I was an amateur and I didn't know who Tyson was.
"I was reading in Boxing News he was going around London gyms asking if anyone knocks him out they get to keep his Rolex.
"Me and him had a straight war. We both have heart.
"I didn't get to knock him out. He said afterwards 'Watch out for this kid, he will be champion of the world one day'.
"And he got his prediction right."
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Fury has now come under fire after his hardball tactics in talks with Usyk for a bumper unification caused the deal to be scuppered.
Boxing fans were counting down the days until April 29 when it appeared Fury and Usyk had managed to strike an agreement.
But it appears the bout will not go ahead after the duo failed to conclude terms over the purse.
And according to Usyk’s agent Egis Klimas, that all falls at the feet of Fury.
Usyk is now plotting a mandatory defence of his belts in either June or July.