Anthony Joshua has dismissed WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury as a massive and intimidating threat to him.
Both heavyweight boxers have agreed financial terms on a two-fight deal, with the first, highly-anticipated, bout due to take place next year.
Joshua won back his heavyweight titles with a rematch defeat of Andy Ruiz Jr last December.
Fury recorded a knockout win against Deontay Wilder to maintain his unbeaten streak.
But Joshua does not view the Gypsy King as a ‘massive threat’.
“Being world champion, with all those knockouts, you do feel kind of unstoppable,” The WBA, IBF and WBO heavyweight champion told GQ Middle East.
“But realistically, in boxing terms, I’m way ahead of where I should be. I’m working at such a quick pace. I shouldn’t even be in a position where I’m mentioned in Tyson Fury’s era.
“He’s five or six years ahead of me in terms of turning professional. In fact, when he was turning pro, I was just putting on my gloves for the first time.”
Joshua added: “Tyson needs educating. All us athletes do.
“We often didn’t go far in school, so a lot of our comments and actions aren’t great. But let’s talk about him as a boxer.
“I don’t find him intimidating and I haven’t seen him do anything in the ring where I think, ‘this guy is going to be a massive threat’.
“He’s talented and he’s awkward, and that’s often enough to get you quite far in life.”
