It seems everybody wants to step in the ring with Anthony Joshua right now.

The 28-year-old has experienced a dream 2017 with a scintillating TKO victory over Wladimir Klitschko in April before a gritty stoppage win against the iron-chinned Carlos Takam in October. He now boasts the WBA (Super), IBF, and IBO heavyweight titles.

His most immediate priorities in 2018 concern unifying the division by tackling Deontay Wilder and Joseph Parker to ensure every heavyweight belt rests on English shores.

Neither of those fights would be a formality for AJ but if he could extend his record to 22-0 then a mega-fight with the returning Tyson Fury would be guaranteed to break British PPV records.

Fury hasn't stepped between the ropes since he danced his way around Klitschko in November 2015, yet the prospect of hunting down his old belts has encouraged him to return to the gym.

That being said, the 29-year-old still has a considerable amount of weight to lose, a BBBoC hearing to organise and potential warm-up fights with the likes of David Price and Shannon Briggs to navigate.

In the ideal world, though, they're comfortable stepping stones en route to the mother of all British fights.

However, it wouldn't be the first time that Fury and Joshua exchanged blows.

The British pair were involved in a sparring session in 2010 in which Fury admitted that he was nearly knocked out by an uppercut having underestimated AJ.

And while Fury's comments are quietly known, the back story provided by Joshua in 2015 slipped under the radar for most and it's certainly interesting.

Speaking to iFL boxing, he revealed: "I didn't even know who he was because I wasn't a boxing fan at all, I just heard this big guy from Manchester had said that anyone who knocks him out can have his Rolex. He said it in the Boxing News.

"So my coach said 'if you want that Rolex, take it to him' - so I went to war.

"It wasn't technical - he was holding on with one hand and trying to hit with the other, low blowing me and all sorts.

"I'll remind him of that promise. If we fight down the line I want the watch on the line again. I've only got a rubber G-Shock now and I want that Rolly."

Take a look at the video below:

So Joshua didn't bag the Rolex on that occasion but accounts certainly suggest he held his own at the age of 21. If he can go one better in a professional contest, though, he'll win a whole more than a watch.

Who do you think would win - Fury or Joshua? Have your say in the comments section below.