Tyson Fury has warned Anthony Joshua his career is already over as the two former world champions prepare to settle their long-running rivalry in Cardiff on December 11.
Five years ago, the two Brits dominated the heavyweight division and held all four belts between them. But they have long since been usurped and are now fighting largely for pride.
Fury's warning to Joshua
Fury, 38, believes Joshua, 36, has already had his hand raised for the final time. "He never was any good to me," he said. "He would never beat me in a million years at any time. But when I hit him with that right hand, he's going to feel the full force of it and he's going to fall over in a heap. And then where does he go from there?"
"Even if he didn't fight me today, who's he going to fight next where he doesn't lose? You've just seen him fight Kristian Prenga, whoever the f*** he is, and he was knocked down twice by him, so what happens if he fights a live opponent, someone who's not hand-picked and selected for him to knock over?"
"I don't know anyone he could beat, and he definitely ain't beating me, that's for sure!"
A long-awaited showdown
Fury and Joshua should by now have fought out an historic trilogy. Instead boxing politics has kept them apart until the twilight of their careers.
But Fury added: "I don't regret anything, because it probably makes more financial sense now than it ever has, and that's what we're in this sport for.
"This has come at a pinnacle point for me because all the rough roads and all the ups and downs have led to this. It's been simmering for such a long time and everybody finally gets what they want. I believe it's one of the biggest fights the world's ever seen, and it'll live up to all the expectations."
