Aside from an obvious unification clash with WBC champion Deontay Wilder, boxing fans in the UK are hoping to see an all domestic heavyweight clash between #Anthony Joshua and #Tyson Fury.
The former unified heavyweight king, Tyson Fury has not been seen in a boxing ring since dethroning Wladimir Klitschko in 2015. With the Gypsey King still suspended and without a BBBoC license, many had wondered if the two kings of Britain would ever square off inside the ring.
But, this morning their budding rivalry appears to have been taken to the next level after Joshua took to twitter telling Fury 'get fit you fat f---'.
& @Tyson_Fury get fit you fat fuck
— Anthony Joshua (@anthonyfjoshua) November 9, 2017
How do we get Joshua vs Fury?
In an interview with Youtube boxing channel IFL on Wednesday, Joshua said: "One side of me say's he's not relevant because he's not fighting. On the other side, I need Tyson Fury. I want him so I can compete with him. I want to challenge Tyson Fury."
The key word there is need. Although Joshua may reign supreme in boxing's most lucrative division, many feel Fury is the man to dethrone the current king. For AJ he must beat Fury to cement his spot as number one.
Despite Joshua achieving so much in such a short span of time, there is still the doubters and people sense AJ still has more questions to answer.
As boxing fans we are all excited by the prospect of a Fury return in 2018, but, there are several hurdles that need to be overcome first. On a famous night in Dusseldorf in 2015, Fury was able to systematically outbox Wladimir Klitschko on his way to becoming the unified king of the world.
For Fury though, his reign at the top of the mountain was shortlived.
After an immediate rematch was cancelled due to Fury's well-publicised battle with depression and drugs, the 'Gypsey King' was stripped of his titles.
Still waiting for a hearing, Fury remains without a license to fight. Though, the former champion has revealed he has begun training again, here we have our second hurdle. Although Fury is unsurprisingly relishing the chance to face off with Joshua, he has reportedly been weighing in at 29 stone and in an interview with fellow boxer Derck Chisora, Fury said: "I've got seven stone to lose".
Although Joshua vs Fury might not be right around the corner, it is showing signs of promise. The 29-year-old Fury is only a year older than his potential opponent and maintains that losing the weight will not be a problem. During his 24 month hiatus, this does appear to be the most motivated we have seen Fury. Famous for announcing his retirement what feels like once a month, the 6ft 7inch star is a man back in love with the sport he once so briefly ruled over.
AJ is a man in demand
Just because a fighter calls someone out on social media, does not necessarily mean they want to fight.
Since Deontay Wilder knocked out Bermane Stiverne in such brutal fashion last weekend, the demand for a heavyweight unification fight is starting to skyrocket.
This morning, Joshua's promoter Eddie Hearn, confirmed on Sky Sports that he would be opening negotiations with the WBC's champions' team regarding a potential showdown in 2018.
After calling Joshua out after his win last Saturday, Wilder has started to take any opportunity to tell the world how Joshua and his team don't want the fight. Wilder himself has 'declared war' on the unified king and 'The Bronze Bomber' is doing a good job of convincing people that AJ is running from him. Make no mistake though, that is not the case.
Although Wilder and Joshua are undoubtedly on a collision course, Hearn feels that a second unification fight with WBO champion Joseph Parker could be a more realistic next step.
Parker is almost universally regarded to be the weakest of the three champions. The 25-year-old Kiwi won the vacant title against Andy Ruiz at the end of 2016. Joshua is a fighter who is desperate to unify the division by the end of next year, meaning that an inevitable showdown between both champions is all but confirmed for 2018.
It has been heavily rumoured this week that Joshua vs Parker will take place in March and that both teams are attempting to finalise a deal this week.
Anthony Joshua’s March opponent will likely be Joseph Parker. The 2nd option is Jarrell Miller provided he beats Wach this weekend.
— Boxing Kingdom (@BoxingKingdom14) November 6, 2017