Tyson Fury responds to Anthony Joshua’s offer to help him in sparring ahead of Deontay Wilder rematch

Joshua offered to help Fury ahead of his 22 February rematch against Wilder in the hope that it would give him a shot at the WBC heavyweight title

Tyson Fury welcomed Anthony Joshua’s off to spar against him in an effort to help his preparations for his rematch against Deontay Wilder.

Both Joshua and Fury have talked up their intention to fight each other, although the latter played down suggestions that a bout could happen next year given the current paths they find themselves on.

Joshua is set to fight either Kubrat Pulev or Oleksandr Usyk in his next fight after regaining the WBA, IBF and WBO heavyweight titles, while Fury meets WBC champion Wilder on 22 February in a rematch of their December 2018 contest that was scored a draw.

Fury’s preparations will already be very different to that last time he faced Wilder as he decided to split with trainer Ben Davison this week in order to reunite with Javan ‘Sugarhill’ Steward. However, another change could be the presence of heavyweight rival Joshua in his camp.

Speaking on Sky Sports on Thursday, Joshua said: "Fury if you need me, if you need me for sparring – we’re going to fight one day, I’ve sparred Tyson Fury when we were kids anyway - I’ll go out to America to spar Tyson Fury to get him ready for this Wilder fight."

Fury soon issued a response on Instagram, though in typical fashion it came while he was having a massage and featured himself covered with a dog filter.

"I just saw a video of Joshua on Sky Sports saying he'd love to come me in camp and that I'd fight him quicker than Wilder - that's for sure,” Fury said.

"When I beat Wilder I will fight you AJ no problem and I'd love to have you in camp.

"I'd really love to have you in camp for this fight and give Wilder a proper beating. I hope you mean it because I'd love to have you in training camp. Thanks very much and well done in your last fight, congratulations, fair play."

Joshua’s offer stemmed from his desire to see Fury beat American Wilder because he believes it will give himself a quicker chance to become the undisputed heavyweight world champion by claiming Wilder’s WBC title.

"I would like that fight because I think Fury would fight me faster than Wilder would," Joshua said.

"I think he (Fury) might beat Wilder next time. I think Fury would fight me quicker than Wilder would, so if that’s the case I want Fury to win.

"I think to have that fight here on British soil is mad. Can you imagine that?”