Anthony Joshua: New champion will 'walk through' Tyson Fury
Last updated on .From the section Boxing
Anthony Joshua says he will "walk through" fellow British world heavyweight champion Tyson Fury on his way to unifying the division.
The 26-year-old became IBF heavyweight champion with a stunning second-round stoppage of American Charles Martin.
Fury will defend his three versions of the world title against Wladimir Klitschko in Manchester on 9 July.
"I'm going to walk through Fury when he's ready," said Joshua. "I mean business and I'm here to stay."
| More on Joshua's victory over Martin |
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| Read Ben Dirs' fight report from London's O2 Arena |
| Relive how Joshua became a world champion |
| Podcast: Joshua wants to make a 'real noise' |
Immediately after the fight, Fury, who says he bet £1,000 on Joshua losing against Martin, tweeted: "So AJ gets a belt, but he looked slow and ponderous, and still looked like a bodybuilder. Let me slay the lamb."
Joshua and Fury, 27, had been trading insults on social media in the build-up to the former's fight against the previously unbeaten Martin.
It was hardly a contest at The O2 Arena on Saturday as the Olympic champion, in only his 16th professional fight, knocked down his opponent twice in the second round with two devastating right hands.
Listen to BBC Radio 5 live's Mike Costello describe the closing moments of the fight
"I'm only quarter of the way there," Joshua told Sky Sports Box Office, referring to his plan to unify the division.
"There's still a lot of work to be done. I've done two rounds, so I'll go to the changing rooms and work on the pads.
"I've got people like David Haye and Tyson Fury calling me out so I need to keep improving. Every fight gets better and better. I want to give value for money and I appreciate the ongoing support of the fans."
Martin, 29, admitted he could not deal with Joshua's power and said he lost his title, which he only won in January, to the "better man".
"I got hit by a right hand I didn't see and that cost me the fight," said Martin. "I was OK but the referee came over at six, I got to the knee at seven, took a breath and when I stood up he was at 10.
"He's not difficult to fight. He's a great fighter, I want to say that, it was just that his right hand was fast, I didn't see the right. He's got good speed."
Joshua will fight me first - Haye
Former world heavyweight champion David Haye believes he will face Joshua before the Watford-born boxer is granted a shot at Fury.
The 35-year-old fights unknown Kosovan Arnold Gjergjaj in the second bout of his comeback on 21 May and has then lined up a meeting with American Shannon Briggs.
Haye, who pulled out of two scheduled fights with Fury in 2013, says he and Joshua would provide "probably the biggest ever British heavyweight clash".
"Joshua will defend his title, he won't fight Tyson Fury in the next two fights," Haye told Sportsweek. "Fury has his work cut out with Wladimir Klitschko - he needs to worry about that before anyone else.
"Tyson Fury is very difficult to deal with. I can't see him and his team doing a deal with Eddie Hearn [Joshua's promoter].
"I believe Anthony Joshua wants two defences. Ideally we both win our fights and square off for probably the biggest ever British heavyweight clash."
Haye was "proud" to see Olympic champion Joshua win a world title.
"It was the smoothest and easiest way I've seen someone win a world title," he added.
"Potential-wise, physically, technically, he looks like he's doing everything right."
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Bruno absolutely destroyed his opponents early in his career, but when he faced world class opponents he struggled.
Remains to be seen whether Joshua's career will unravel this way too. Would be good to see him against a real quality opponent who actually hits back.
I like his humility though. Rare in boxing.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with boxing, it's an individual choice made by two adults who understand the potential consequences.
Horse racing is the barbaric sport if any, Its unlikely any horse would choose to be whipped and ran into the ground - Killing for sport and killing for food are completely different.
Oh and Joshua looks near unbeatable.
It would be a big mistake for Joshua to fight Fury right now, as he will lose! maybe in a few years after he's fought some proper fighters.
Its better than looking like an untrained boxer that bends the ethics of sport and looks like a typical tarmacer.
Nice clean Boxers don't sell tickets or box office grow up all those people who hate Tyson.
BTW Joshua has the strength and speed - a dangerous explosive combination, but true test is his true resilience under pressure.
Why does the BBC have to create inflammatory articles such as this? Please just report on the news don't involve yourself with publicising threats in order to sell the next fight.
Because there are multiple governing bodies offering a belt funding and adjudication, the sport is popular enough to sustain it. Or were you simply confused by the multiple weight classes?
Joshua should now focus on Wilder and America. His physique, skills and attitude will make him the biggest heavy weight box office there for generations
How can you say that? AJ has been hit hard once (by Whyte) and it nearly toppled him. We have not seen AJ put under any sort of pressure other than that. I am really pleased for AJ but would of liked last night's fight to have stretched him.