The WBA, IBF and IBO heavyweight champion was enjoying the sunshine in Dubai as Tyson Fury continues to call out the 2012 Olympic gold medallist
ANTHONY JOSHUA basked in the Dubai sunshine as the heavyweight world champion tried his hand at playing beach volleyball.
The 28-year-old is having a well-deserved break after dispatching Carlos Takam in the tenth round, as his name continues to be linked to a huge unification fight in 2018.
Promoter Eddie Hearn recently revealed that talks have progressed with Joshua and WBC champ Deontay Wilder as the American continues to call out the Brit star.
He told : "We're all optimistic. [The meeting] was positive and now we move forward. We look at the venues, crunch the numbers and get to the nitty gritty of negotiations, which will be over the next couple of weeks.
"I think there's a willingness from both camps to do it next. We also talked about waiting until summer.
"There are lots of different permutations right now, different venue options as well, talk of one fight in America and one in the UK. But also the understanding that this is a huge fight and one we must get made in 2018."
Wilder brutally knocked out Bermane Stiverne last weekend inside the first round, and immediately turned his attention to the WBA, IBF and IBO champ.
He said: "I have been waiting on that fight for a long time, me versus AJ, I declare war on you AJ. I have been waiting a long time, I know I am the best. Are you ready for the test?
"I want Joshua, no more ducking, hiding and dodging. Let’s make it happen.
"If Joshua's a strong champion, a true champion, you guys in England should smoke him out, make him fight. You should see if he's the best."
But the unbeaten knockout artist faces competition from former world champ Tyson Fury, as he looks to wipe away Joshua when returns to the ring.
Over the past few days the 29-year-old has called AJ out on social media, calling him a "weightlifter" and "useless".
And on Thursday evening he to took to Instagram again where he labelled his potential opponent as a "punk" and that he is ready to beat him now.
Joshua's camp have also held talks regarding a unification bout against WBO champ Joseph Parker, as the 2012 Olympic gold medallist looks to become the first undisputed champion since Lennox Lewis in 2000.
