Anthony Joshua reveals ‘interesting’ strategy to tease Tyson Fury into fight as Eddie Hearn calls it ‘very encouraging’

ANTHONY JOSHUA has revealed why he uncharacteristically took to social media to call out Tyson Fury.

A long-overdue Battle of Britain between the rivals is back on the table following Fury's second straight loss to Oleksandr Usyk last month.

AJ is champing at the bit to put an end to his near decade-long rivalry with the Wythenshawe warrior, who he taunted on social media this weekend ahead of the Ring Magazine Awards in London.

And he's revealed he made the out-of-character decision to goad Fury as he knows time is ticking on his Hall of Fame career.

The former unified heavyweight champion told DAZN: "After my last fight I took some time out.

"I let my body heal, which I'm still working on now, and I declined some business opportunities so I could focus on the sport, which takes off mental pressure as well as physically.

"I went away with family which is always good and we're back again for 2025 and I feel good.

"It's a fight [Joshua vs Fury] I want to see, because I'm a fan of boxing, so I want to get that fight underway.

"When I'm in the local gym everyone is asking me, and the reason I decided to do some interesting stuff (on social media) is because I haven't got many years ahead of me. I've had more years behind me.

"So what I want to do is leave the game with a bang and make an impact.

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"Be outlandish, a great character, have fun with it while we're doing it and go for the big fights. Tyson Fury is one of them.

"Every time I see people they say: 'When you fighting Fury?'

"The Irish community, English community, Nigerian community, everyone is asking me the same question.

"As a fighter, it's up to me to deliver. It has to happen this year."

A multi-million-pound summer showdown could be in the offing if a blockbuster deal is agreed in the coming months.

And long-time AJ promoter Eddie Hearn already has tentative plans in place for Wembley to host the titanic tussle.

When asked if Wembley has a date available for the fight, the Matchroom Boxing chief replied: "Yes.

"We're looking to get back in the ring in May or June.

"If it ended up being July, it doesn't really matter.

"I still think it rests on Tyson Fury.

"Until the water settles on the defeat and where he's at mentally and what he wants to do that's where we're really going to find out.

"Because when he looks at the options, what else is he going to do and who else is he going to fight?"