ANTHONY JOSHUA has called time on his big rival Tyson Fury – and revealed they sparred for a brand new Rolex watch.
The British world heavyweight champ was just an amateur when he first fought the Gypsy King.
Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury sparred for a Rolex in 2010 when the Watford star was just an amateur
AJ revealed that he read in boxing bible Boxing News that Fury was in London looking for sparring partners – and if anyone knocked him down they would get his expensive Rolex watch.
Joshua told Sky Sports: “This was early on when I was an amateur and I didn’t know who Tyson was.
“I was reading in Boxing News he was going around London gyms asking if anyone knocks him out they get to keep his Rolex.
“Me and him had a straight war. We both have heart.
“I didn’t get to knock him out. He said afterwards ‘Watch out for this kid, he will be champion of the world one day’.
“And he got his prediction right.”
Meanwhile, AJ’s promoter Eddie Hearn hopes to do a deal so Deontay Wilder walks away from his Fury rematch.
AJ is desperate for a ‘Battle of Britain’ with Mancunian Fury to unite the world titles in 2021.
But away from the right, it has been a tough time for WBA, WBO and IBF champ Joshua, who recently shared photos of how he looked 10 years ago, when he would have sparred Fury.
He recently revealed that he has lost “close friends” from his boxing club to coronavirus.
Joshua, 30, who trains at Finchley Boxing Club in Barnet, North London, said: “Wherever you are in the world, I’m just checking in personally for everyone to just say that I hope you’re all well, you’re all keeping safe.
“This is a message to say you’ve got my support, we’re all doing the right thing.
AJ posted pictures of before he hit the big time and this one was taken around 2010, when he would have sparred with FuryCredit: Instagram / @anthony_joshua
“To the people who are suffering with coronavirus, I wish you a speedy recovery because it is no joke.
“To the ones who have suffered, and lost loved ones, I want to say keep your head up. You’ve got my love. Blessings to you and your family and condolences.
“I’ve lost no one immediate to me but I’ve lost close ones from my boxing gym, close friends, friends of friends, and it gets serious when it starts coming closer to home.”
Anthony Joshua heartbreak as champ reveals he has lost ‘close friends’ to coronavirus from beloved boxing gym
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
